Croydon postman jailed for stealing parcels

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http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news ... g_parcels/

By Harry Miller »


A sticky-fingered postman was handed a six-month jail sentence today for helping himself to peoples packages.

Within a few months of getting the postal job Omar Alkassim started helping himself to people’s DVDs, computer games and credit and debit cards.

Alkassim claimed that he had been pressured into taking the items after he was been stopped in the street by two men who asked him if he wanted to earn some extra money. He claimed he said no, but said they became threatening and later vandalised his motorcycle.

He was eventually caught after postal officials became suspicious and put two test packages on his round.

Alkassim was observed putting one of the packages in the storage unit on his motorcycle and was stopped but refused to let the officials examine his bike or his home.

Police were brought in and he was arrested.

Four items of mail were discovered on him, and 21 on his bike with a further stash of mail at his address in Adams Way, Woodside, Croydon.

Defending, Fergus Malone said Alkassimi was genuinely concerned for the welfare of his two children if he went to jail.

Judge Ruth Downing told him: “These were extremely valuable items and there is evidence that some were used to obtain goods and cash.

“I accept that there was a degree of coercion.

"Ultimately, however, it should have been clear to you that the only thing to do was to go to the police.”