Sinclair Meats’ Steven Sinclair faces court after forged kill sheets charges

The owner of a Victorian meat company has appeared in court after he was charged with altering kill sheets.

Sinclair Meats owner Steven Sinclair appeared in court on Tuesday, April 18

The owner and founder of a Ballarat meat company has appeared in the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court for the first time to front charges relating to alleged forged kill sheets.

Steven Sinclair, of Sinclair Meats in Ballarat, appeared in the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday April 18, where he pleaded not guilty to three charges, which include making a false document, using a false document and obtaining financial advantage by deception.

Sinclair had been offered a diversion by Victoria Police but this was formally withdrawn on Tuesday.

A diversion hearing by Victoria Police requires the accused to acknowledge and take responsibility for the offence while avoiding a criminal record.

However Mr Sinclair said in a statement last month that he would not accept this option.

It is understood the matter centres around allegations that kill sheets were altered for six different producers who sold lambs and cattle to Sinclair Meats, with adjustments made to original documents so producers would be paid less.

The matter was adjourned until Thursday, June 22 for a summary case conference, which is a hearing to discuss the merits of the criminal case with the police prosecutor.