The manager of a fresh food supplier operating lorries from bases across the country has been jailed after he defrauded the business out of £700,000.
An investigation by Lincolnshire police found that Brian Sinclair carried out a “calculated and sustained abuse of trust” after he used his position as a packaging manager at Noble Foods to divert existing stock and placed false orders with manufacturers to steal from the company.
Sinclair had worked at the North Scarle-based business for 20 years and was responsible for managing stock levels across the company, at all their sites across the county as well as at farm packers.
However, between 2018 and 2019 police discovered he had ordered and moved stock that wasn’t needed from one site and arranged for a haulier to take it away to be recycled and then claimed the profit.
The company suffered losses through both the loss of stock and also because they were being billed for unnecessary stock ordered that they didn’t receive and billed for the haulage costs.
Sinclair also had invoices altered to avoid detection from the company.
The 54-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of theft, four counts of fraud by false representation and two counts of fraud by abuse of position.
He appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on 27 April where he was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison.
Investigating officer DC James Norton said: “This was a calculated and sustained abuse of trust.
“Over a prolonged period, Sinclair exploited his position for personal gain, defrauding his employer of £700,904. This was not a momentary lapse in judgement but a deliberate course of conduct that caused significant financial harm.
“I would like to thank the victim company for their cooperation and support throughout what has been a long and complex investigation.
“The sentence handed down today reflects the seriousness of offending of this nature and should serve as a clear warning that those who abuse positions of responsibility will be thoroughly investigated and brought to justice.
“Proceeds of Crime action will now commence to recover assets obtained as a result of this criminality.”
Noble Foods holds licences in five traffic areas around the UK and operates between 10 and 25 HGVs out of nine operating centres.
