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21
Nov
Ex-Harrogate pub manager sentenced for Squinting Cat fraud
The former general manager of a Harrogate pub has been sentenced for defrauding its owner out of more than £10,000.
Andrew Harrison, 56, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position on October 2.
The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared and Harrison returned to Harrogate Magistrates Court today (November 21) for sentencing.
Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court the offending took place between March 14, 2021, and November 14, 2023, when Harrison worked as general manager at The Squinting Cat on Whinney Lane.
In November 2023, a retail auditor for Greene King, which owns the pub, received a report that The Squinting Cat had a “high level of discrepancies of cash that was kept on-site”.
An investigation was subsequently carried out, which revealed £10,466 was missing.
The court heard staff tried to speak to Harrison, of Racecourse Marina in Ripon, about the discrepancies and he was suspended from work.
However, he failed to attend disciplinary meetings and “made no attempt” to pay back any of the money.
Ms Ibbotson said:
The police were informed and the defendant admitted he had manipulated company financial records. He said he would use the cash to pay for fruit machines and takeaways, and to pay off guests’ tabs for people who had not paid off their balance.
Harrison, who is of previous good character, told police he had worked at The Squinting Cat for some time and admitted he was accountable for the site and the performance of the business.
He said he “wanted to keep the company in the black not the red”, the court heard, and believes he was in part acting in the financial interests of the company.
Ms Ibbotson added:
The defendant said he has not made any gain [from the offending] and that he had paid for entertainment himself to try and get more customers.
He told police he felt some sense of relief as it would come to an end, and said he thought about seeking help several times but never did so.
None of the money has ever been paid back, the court was told.
Offence has had a 'detrimental impact' on defendant
Sean Wilson, defending, told the court Harrison has worked in hospitality since he was 21.
The defendant managed The Squinting Cat between 2011 and 2023, but it was taken over by Greene King in 2017 and turned into a gastropub the following year.
Mr Wilson said the rebrand “did not go well” and profits "dipped".
He added Harrison had raised a number of grievances with his employer during that period, 13 of which were successful, but he was left under regular supervision of more senior staff.
“Mr Harrison felt like he could not raise any problems with management”, Mr Wilson said.
He told the magistrates:
Mr Harrison worked seven days a week at the time and he did not take holiday.
He put his own cash into the business and covered up what was going on so it looked like the business was doing better than it was. It all came crashing down in 2023.
Harrison has significant health problems, including just 23% functionality of his heart, and struggles with alcohol misuse.
Mr Wilson said Harrison has lost his accommodation since the offence, which has already had a “detrimental impact” on his life.
A probation officer reiterated Harrison’s health problems to the magistrates. She said he drank heavily whilst working at The Squinting Cat, but said he now drinks just one beer “every few weeks”.
Sentence
The chair of the magistrates’ bench told Harrison the bench felt the offence crossed the custody threshold.
However, they decided against a prison sentence due to Harrison's health problems and his clean record. They also believed he showed genuine remorse and a real prospect of rehabilitation.
Harrison was handed a 12-month community order, during which he must complete up to five rehabilitation activity requirement days and an 80-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement.
He was also ordered to pay a total of £2,500 in compensation to Greene King.
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