THE trial of Britain's largest privately-owned fishing company has been adjourned while legal teams assess the impact of new information on the figures underpinning the £4 million confiscation case.
On Monday, May 18, Plymouth Crown Court was told that the Sea Fisheries Agency officer involved in the trial of Newlyn-based W Stevenson and Sons had revisited the files and compiled new data which could "significantly change" the situation.
The Cornish company has admitted breaking EU quota laws by "blacking" fish – falsifying landing documents to allow them to sell it more expensively – between April and September 2002.
They will have to pay back all the illegal proceeds, a sum previously estimated at up to £4 million.
But on Monday, it emerged that fisheries officer Danny Poulding, who previously gave evidence in the trial, has since reviewed the records for the period involved, and the sample vessels linked to the company which were investigated. Previously, nearly a quarter of all the fish they caught was thought to be black, but his new findings will alter the figures being used to calculate a settlement, the court was told.
Compensation
It was unclear whether the review was expected to raise or lower the final compensation order.
Martin Edmunds QC, prosecuting, paid tribute to Mr Poulding's "diligence" in revisiting the evidence. He said it was "prudent" for each side to file fresh submissions, taking the amendments into account.
Elizabeth Stevenson, a partner in the firm, has so far not given oral evidence and Mr Edmunds said she planned to remain silent.
Her defence barrister, Philip Hackett, said: "It goes without saying that the figures involved are hugely complex, and we certainly feel that it's our duty to our client and the interests of the court to review these figures."
Up to now, the defence has not presented any evidence, and Mr Hackett said he did not anticipate anything arising which would change that position.
The new information could change the figures "quite substantially", but he reminded the court the data was based predominantly on the theories of the two sides involved, in part because the recordings were taken only from a sample of boats.
Judge Philip Wassle agreed to an adjournment until a date yet to be set.
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN