Postman who stole birthday card money has sentence cut

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-12280875" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


A postman from Norfolk who stole money from birthday cards to feed a gambling addiction has had his jail term cut.

Daniel Kerling, 35, from Thetford, was jailed for two years in August last year after admitting the thefts, which happened between 2006 and 2010.

But judges at the Appeal Court reduced his sentence to 16 months, saying the original term was "excessive".

The original trial at Norwich Crown Court heard he was caught with nearly 600 parcels and letters at his home.

'Caused upset'

His lawyers argued at the Appeal Court that his jail term was too long, saying the crown court judge did not take enough account of sentencing guidelines for theft.

Lord Justice Leveson said the guidelines had little relevance in this case, where the value of what was stolen was "much greater than money alone".

He added: "This would have caused upset when people thought perhaps granny didn't remember their birthday, when granny absolutely did."

However, allowing the appeal, Mr Justice Calvert-Smith said the two-year term was "excessive" and reduced it to 16 months.

[RedBagMan]

So ... in Norfolk, 2 years is excessive ... reduced to 16 months ... while in Harltepool/Thornaby (other thread), it's a 12 month community order ...

Consistent