Thomas Robinson, 52, has been found guilty by a jury at Falkirk Sheriff Court for two counts of food fraud.
Operating under the business name, The Wee Plantation between January 2014 and February 2019, Robinson was found to have defrauded luxury hotels and retailers by falsely claiming to supply premium tea grown in Scotland and selling it for an inflated price.
He also misled a small group of genuine Scottish tea growers by selling them plants under the false pretence that they were a unique, Scottish-grown variety.
The tea was, however, sourced from wholesalers outside Scotland.
Robinson, also known as Tam O’Braan and Thomas O’Brien, further bolstered his fraudulent claims by alleging he had developed innovative techniques for cultivating tea in Scotland’s climate. He also fabricated academic qualifications and industry awards to lend credibility to his story.
The conviction follows on from an extensive investigation by the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit (SFCIU), which found that Robinson’s misrepresentations led to financial losses totalling £584,738 for his clients.
Ron McNaughton, head of the SFCIU at Food Standards Scotland (FSS), commented: “This was a highly complex and protracted investigation which required a significant amount of time, expertise and coordination across our team and with partner agencies. Fraud of this nature is often difficult to detect and even harder to prove, but we were determined to pursue every line of enquiry to build the strongest possible case.
“This was not a victimless crime — individuals, businesses, and an emerging sector of genuine Scottish tea growers suffered real financial and reputational harm as a result of deliberate deception. I would like to thank the witnesses who came forward and supported the investigation; their cooperation was essential to achieving this outcome.
“It’s a strong example of how partnership working and the dedication and skill of our investigative teams make it increasingly difficult for those committing food fraud to go undetected. We remain committed to protecting Scotland’s food and drink sector from criminal activity and maintaining consumer trust.”
