Soft fruits farmer David Leslie Fruits, in Scones of Lethendy, Perth, has been prosecuted for using an unlicensed gangmaster.

The firm has been fined £500 in Perth Sheriff Court after pleading guilty.

Following a Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) investigation, conducted with Tayside Police and other government enforcement agencies, it was found that an unlicensed business in Bulgaria had supplied 250 Bulgarian workers to pick strawberries at the farm in the summer of 2008. All the workers have now left the farm, with most returning to Bulgaria.

The firm is the first labour user to be prosecuted under the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act.

Paul Whitehouse, GLA chairman, says: “David Leslie Fruits have paid the price for using an illegal gangmaster. This prosecution sends a warning to all farmers who are tempted to use unlicensed labour providers whether they are in this country or abroad.

“It’s not worth the risk: anyone can find a licensed gangmaster on our website: www.gla.gov.uk.”