Title: Bingo Manager Receives Suspended Sentence for Theft from Skegness Pub
Content:
Jamie Searson, a 38-year-old bingo manager from Grimsby, has been given a suspended prison sentence following his admission of thieving more than £30,000 from The Lookout Public House in Skegness. The theft, which spanned a year and a half from 2022 until the summer of 2023, led to a 12-month prison sentence for Searson, suspended for two years.
His actions were heard in Lincoln Crown Court, where it was disclosed that Searson had been manipulating the sales of bingo tickets and inaccurately reporting figures to hide the theft. As part of his sentence, he is mandated to complete 175 hours of unpaid community service.
The theft was uncovered due to anomalies identified by the pub’s computer system, despite Searson’s efforts to cover his actions. Searson, who had no previous criminal record, initially sought to stave off police intervention by offering to return £15,000 after the financial discrepancies were detected. However, the matter was reported to Lincolnshire Police.
Searson’s guilty plea came promptly after the charges were made. Judge Philip Head commented on Searson’s ‘prolonged dishonesty’, emphasising that the pub’s internal measures ultimately disclosed the truth. A hearing to determine potential recovery of funds through the Proceeds of Crime Act has been scheduled for May 2026.
This article draws upon original reporting provided by www.bbc.com.
