Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has welcomed the conviction of Thomas Robinson, a 52-year-old man behind a large-scale tea fraud that deceived luxury hotels, retailers, and genuine Scottish tea growers. Robinson was found guilty of two counts of fraud totaling nearly £600,000 ($808,300). His sentencing is pending.
Operating under aliases Tam O’Braan and Thomas O’Brien, Robinson falsely marketed tea as being cultivated in Scotland. He misled high-end clients and exploited a small group of real Scottish tea growers by selling them tea plants under the false claim that they were unique, locally developed varieties.
The FSS investigation, which began in 2019, uncovered that Robinson’s fraudulent practices caused £584,738 ($787,000) in financial losses. The case was brought to court at Falkirk Sheriff Court, where a jury found him guilty.
From 2014 to 2019, Robinson ran a business named The Wee Tea Plantation, claiming to grow Camellia Sinensis tea at his Perthshire estate. In reality, the tea was sourced from wholesalers outside Scotland. He further bolstered his false image by inventing academic qualifications and industry accolades.
Ron McNaughton, head of the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit (SFCIU) at FSS, emphasized the severity of the offense:
“This was not a victimless crime. Individuals, businesses, and a growing sector of genuine Scottish tea producers suffered financial and reputational damage.”
McNaughton also credited the investigation’s success to the collaboration between FSS and witnesses, adding:
“Fraud of this nature is difficult to detect and even harder to prove. Our dedicated teams followed every lead to build a solid case. We remain committed to protecting Scotland’s food and drink industry from criminal threats.”
The case is a stark reminder of how food fraud can impact both consumer trust and emerging industries.
