Manager Jailed for £700k Fraud Against Lincolnshire Company

A former manager at a Lincolnshire company has been jailed for three years and eight months after defrauding his employer, Noble Foods Ltd in North Scarle, out of more than £700,000. Brian Sinclair, 54, abused his position to commit a calculated and sustained fraud over a prolonged period.

Sentencing for Extensive Fraud

Sinclair, of Wild Street Shaw in Oldham, appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday 27 April where he received his sentence. He had previously pleaded guilty at a hearing on 2 October to one count of theft, four counts of fraud by false representation, and two counts of fraud by abuse of position.

Working as a manager at Noble Foods Ltd, located on Hives Lane in North Scarle, for 20 years, Sinclair was responsible for managing stock levels across the company's sites and farm packers. Investigations by the Economic Crime Unit (ECU) revealed that between 2018 and 2019, Sinclair diverted existing stock and placed false orders with manufacturers to steal from the company. He arranged for unneeded stock to be taken away for recycling, claiming the profit, and altered invoices to avoid detection.

DC James Norton, the investigating officer from ECU, stated: “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.” DC Norton added that the sentence reflects the seriousness of such offending and serves as a warning. Carl Price, Unit Head Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecutor Service, confirmed that confiscation proceedings are now underway to recover criminally obtained funds and assets.

Local Area & Safety Context

North Scarle is a charming village in the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, with a population of around 640 residents. In January 2026, the overall crime rate in Lincolnshire was 72 crimes per 1,000 people, with violence and sexual offences being the most common. For the specific postcode LN6 9EX in North Scarle, there were 3 total crimes recorded in January 2026, predominantly violent crime. In contrast, there were no reported crimes within one mile of the LN6 9ET postcode in North Scarle during the same month.

Official advice for preventing fraud includes treating all unexpected calls, emails, and text messages with caution and never assuming they are genuine. It is crucial to hang up on calls and ignore messages if you feel pressured to act quickly. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) advises against giving out bank account or credit card details unless you are certain who you are dealing with, and never to share passwords or grant device access to untrusted sources. The Home Office also warns against being suspicious if guaranteed a visa, asked for cash or insecure payments, or forced to act immediately.

If you suspect fraud, report it to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040. If you have sent money or had money stolen, contact your bank immediately. To protect against identity theft, store personal documents securely, shred old documents, and regularly check bank and credit card statements for suspicious activity.

Victims of fraud can receive free and confidential support from the national charity Victim Support. They can be contacted via their free 24/7 Supportline on 08 08 16 89 111. Additionally, Cifas, the UK's leading fraud prevention service, offers protective registration to help prevent identity fraud.

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OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This report is based on an official press release issued by a UK Police Force. Document: Jail for man who abused his position to commit fraud Source Link