Sales director stole £11,000 of prawns

Jan 4 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

A HIGH-FLYING frozen foods company sales boss is behind bars after stealing thousands of pounds worth of king prawns from his employer.

Mark Southall earned £50,000 a year as sales director of the North-East division of Ruskim Seafoods, in overall charge of its distribution centre in Wardley, Gateshead.

An internal investigation revealed he had abused his position of trust by fraudulently selling on cases of king prawns to unsuspecting traders claiming they were bought from bankrupt stock, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

The father-of-one, who had worked for the Shropshire-based family business for four years, was paid for the stolen prawns by cheque, putting the money straight into his own bank account, the court was told.

One trader approached by Southall bought 40 cases of prawns valued at £3,360 and a further 20 crates for £1,500 two months later.

Further inquiries uncovered a delivery note in Southall’s desk drawer for a £456 cash sale and 80 cases of prawns which had not been invoiced, said Neil Pallister, prosecuting yesterday.

Police were contacted in April last year and Southall admitted selling on the prawns, explaining he had been in financial difficulties, Mr Pallister said. He has since repaid the money he stole.

Southall, 30, of Kenilworth, Killingworth, North Tyneside, had admitted six counts of theft between October 2006 and March last year at an earlier hearing. The total sums stolen were £11,000 worth of prawns and a further £456 in cash.

Tom Finch, defending, said Southall’s financial problems began when he and his wife moved house two years ago.

“As a result of that he took on a mortgage in the region of £175,000 and at the same time his wife found out she was pregnant,” he said.

“He found himself financially strapped because his wife was unable to pursue her employment.

“Though she has returned to some part-time employment, child care obligations and the like meant their income was not as high as it was previously and he took the steps he did and stole from his employer to make ends meet.

“He has been determined to redress matters as best he can and he has succeeded. He carries a considerable degree of shame and remorse for the commission of these offences.”

Mr Finch urged the court to take an exceptional course and pass a sentence which would allow Southall – who found further employment after being sacked from his job – to keep his freedom.

But jailing Southall for six months, Judge Esmond Faulks told him: “You were in a responsible and respected position as a sales director earning £50,000 a year.

“While in that position you stole £11,000 worth of prawns and nearly £500 in cash.

“It can only described as a flagrant breach of trust which clearly crosses the custody threshold when it comes to sentence.

“You have no previous convictions, you are obviously an able, hard working man and have done your best to pay the money back.

“Notwithstanding that I am afraid it has to be immediate custody.”