Southend Pier manager

Lee Sturgeon, the former head of Southend Council’s pier and foreshore service, has been convicted of fraud and money laundering after admitting to selling scrap metal from the pier for personal gain. He was sentenced at Southend Magistrates’ Court on October 2, 2024, receiving a fine of nearly £5,000, which includes £2,000 in costs and £2,595 in compensation, alongside an order to complete 200 hours of community service. The investigation revealed Sturgeon had failed to disclose a significant payment he received from a local scrap metal dealer for metal sourced from an old pier train chassis during a replacement project in 2022. Councillor Martin Terry expressed disappointment over Sturgeon’s actions, emphasizing that such fraudulent activities undermine public trust and will not be tolerated. The council's counter fraud team conducted a thorough investigation, which was aided by the licensing team and local partners. Following Sturgeon's conviction, the council plans to review the pier's procedures to prevent future misconduct.