Letter writer told neighbours of Royal Mail worker's deceit

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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AN "ex-colleague" of a postal worker who admitted stealing money and gift vouchers from inside greeting cards sent letters telling neighbours to confront him about it.

Thomas Adrian Jones, 50, of Cwmlan Terrace, Landore, avoided prison for stealing £225 in cash as well as five gift vouchers.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of mail bags or postal packets from between February 14 and 21.

Swansea magistrates were told that an unnamed person had started a campaign to make his local community aware of his actions.

After Jones was dismissed from his job, that person, thought to be an ex-colleague, sent a letter telling neighbours about the thefts. Nick Evans, representing Jones, said: "The letter indicated he had been dismissed and if they had any mail missing, they should approach the defendant directly and take the matter up with him.

"It's still the case three or four months later that people who he has known for many years will not to speak to or acknowledge him," said Mr Evans.

He appealed to magistrates to give Jones a suspended sentence.

"The defendant has been frightened to leave his home because of what people may say or do to him. What he did will take years to deal with. Even if the court will take him into custody, he will still have the reputation as a person in the tight knit community of Landore of being a thief."

He was caught on CCTV opening letters on February 22. In the week before, 55 open postal packets had been found in the mail centre and surveillance was started.

The vouchers were found in his wallet and £145 in cash was found in his shirt pocket.

Jones, who had worked for Royal Mail for eight-and-a-half years, said: "You've caught me on CCTV, there's nothing I can say. I just got greedy, simple as."

He told investigators he had found one open envelope the week before and taken the money from inside and he continued to open envelopes.

A report by probation officer Jayne Thomas said he had no problems with alcohol, drugs or debt.

Mr Evans added: "Having seen an open envelope and seeing what was in it and deciding to take it, he thought he could pursue a similar course of action. There was no real rational reason, he just went on with this course of action.

"He lost his employment, lost his good character but has also lost his reputation in the community."

He said Jones had managed to get a new job as a delivery driver for Asda but the store manager had been approached after his first court appearance. He was then also dismissed from that job.

He was handed a four-month sentence, suspended for two years and told to complete 300 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £300 towards the court courts of more than £1,500 as well as £3.18 compensation to Royal Mail.

Phil, Llewelyn, chairman of the bench, said: "You have ruined your life, I just hope you haven't ruined the lives of your family."

[MGB]

He was handed a four-month sentence, suspended for two years and told to complete 300 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £300 towards the court courts of more than £1,500 as well as £3.18 compensation to Royal Mail."

Really?

[clashcityrocker]

I think the judge was pissed at the stamp price rise and decided Royal Mail didn't need the money.
He should have forced the bloke to hand back his colleagueshares certificates as well.