A fraudster who conned luxury businesses into buying tea he claimed was grown in Scotland, making more than 拢550,000, has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.
Thomas Robinson, 55, claimed to have cultivated the tea at his Perthshire estate using innovative techniques, but in reality it was bought from wholesalers and grown outside of Scotland.
Operating under the business name The Wee Tea Plantation, Robinson fraudulently sold the tea to high-profile clients in the hospitality sector between January 2014 and February 2019.
Representatives of the Balmoral Hotel, the Dorchester Hotel and a company acting on behalf of Fortnum & Mason were among those tricked by the fraudster, who had claimed to have sold tea to customers including Kensington Palace.
A Food Standards Scotland (FSS) investigation found Robinson also misled genuine Scottish tea growers by selling them plants under the false pretence they were a unique, locally-grown variety.
On May 25, he was found guilty of two counts of fraud to a value of almost 拢553,000 after a trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court, which followed an investigation by FSS.
Robinson, also known as Tam O鈥橞raan and Thomas O鈥橞rien, tried to bolster his credibility by fabricating academic qualifications and industry awards.
On Wednesday, Robinson was sentenced at Stirling Sheriff Court. Hours earlier, his lawyer withdrew from the case.
Representing himself, Robinson begged for 鈥渃ompassion鈥 as he appeared by videolink from HMP Low Moss, wearing a green sweatshirt.
Sheriff Keith O鈥橫ahony refused a bid to defer sentence and said it was in the public interest that it went ahead, as Robinson was 鈥渁rticulate鈥 enough to represent himself.
Robinson, who told the court he has four children and attends church, claimed he awoke every morning in his cell plagued with guilt about the 鈥渞eputational damage鈥 caused to genuine Scottish tea growers.
鈥淚鈥檝e had time to wrestle with this over sleepless nights, coming to realise how wrong and stupid I鈥檝e been,鈥 he told the court.
鈥淭he damage this has on all concerned, the stigma of misleading others鈥 I should have been much more transparent and owned up to the situation. Hubris and arrogance made me believe I did my best.
鈥淭he method by which you could grow tea in Scotland, something I was told you couldn鈥檛 do鈥 I didn鈥檛 know the best, I didn鈥檛 act as I should have. I go to church, I鈥檓 perfectly aware that a sin is not only to do something, but also not to do the right thing.
鈥淭he shame of that hangs over me every morning every time I wake up in my cell. Central to that guilt I鈥檓 responsible for reputational damage of those involved and reputational damage of growing tea in Scotland.
鈥淚t was a scheme I received support from the Scottish Government. I solemnly hope my actions have not detracted from the success which can be achieved for people who want to grow tea in Scotland. I can only offer my sincere apologies if my actions have besmirched that capability.鈥
He told the court he had experienced 鈥渟uicidal emotions鈥 due to guilt and had been 鈥渢oo ashamed to explain鈥 to his four children.
Robinson claimed he would not reoffend and had learnt from his actions, 鈥渘ot only from shock of my conviction but truthful acceptance of what I have done鈥.
He added: 鈥淚 solemnly would ask that the above is taken into consideration not as an excuse but an acceptance of the serious nature of my actions and inactions, and I throw myself on the mercy of the court for your compassion.鈥
Sheriff O鈥橫ahony said the jury had 鈥済enerally rejected鈥 Robinson鈥檚 evidence, and the charges spanned five years and totalled 拢552,988.
He added: 鈥淏y any measure these convictions must be regarded as significant. Mr O鈥橞rien demonstrated significant planning, he was persistent, he repeatedly made false statements.
鈥淭hese charges are not victimless, witness after witness gave evidence and said they would not have had the transaction if they had known. They were convinced on false pretences to hand over significant sums of money.鈥
Robinson put his head in his hands as the three-and-a-half year sentence was handed down.
Helen Nisbet, procurator fiscal for Tayside, Central and Fife, said: 鈥淚ndividuals, businesses, and genuine Scottish tea growers suffered financial and reputational harm as a consequence of Robinson鈥檚 deceit.
鈥淏ut thanks to partnership working between Food Standards Scotland, Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, he has been brought to account for his crimes.
鈥淲e are committed to tackling financial crime of this kind.鈥
Ron McNaughton, of FSS, said: 鈥淲e welcome today鈥檚 sentencing as a clear signal that food fraud is a serious crime with serious consequences.
鈥淎 three-and-a-half year custodial sentence reflects the scale and impact of Mr Robinson鈥檚 deception. His actions caused real financial and reputational harm to individuals, businesses and a developing sector of genuine Scottish tea producers.
鈥淭his outcome is the result of a complex and painstaking investigation involving a dedicated team at FSS and the co-operation of partner agencies and key witnesses.
鈥淚t demonstrates that those who set out to mislead consumers and defraud businesses will be held accountable.
鈥淔ood fraud undermines consumer trust and damages the integrity of Scotland鈥檚 globally respected food and drink sector. We remain committed to detecting and disrupting criminal activity of this nature.鈥