Royal Mail boss jailed after expenses fiddle

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/920 ... es_fiddle/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A ROYAL Mail boss who played a major part in an expenses fiddle by Worcester postmen has been jailed for a year despite repaying £5,500.

Paul Savage was operations manager in the city centre delivery office and was responsible for authorising expense claims submitted by colleagues.

But not only did he turn a blind eye to false claims but he also made mileage claims for himself although he was office-bound.

The overall loss to the Royal Mail in a 16-month period was in excess of £12,200, said prosecutor Mona Bayoumi at Worcester Crown Court.

Savage, aged 31, of Eastbank Drive, Northwick, pleaded guilty to 12 charges of fraud between June 2009 and October last year.

He had worked for Royal Mail for 10 years, following in the footsteps of his father.

Miss Bayoumi named three postmen sentenced by city magistrates for their part in the scam.

Mark Adams, Wesley Chapman and David D’Amore were ordered to carry out unpaid work after admitting claiming more than £6,000 in false travel and subsistence payments.

Savage had taken a cut from the claims, 90 per cent of which he admitted were corrupt.

Although he had paid back £5,500, it did not reflect the total loss to Royal Mail, said Miss Bayoumi.

Mark Lister, defending, said it was ironic that the first repayment cheque had been lost in the post. He submitted three personal references and said the case had been a tragedy for Savage and his family, who were supportive.

At the time of the offences, Savage’s wife had lost a baby early in pregnancy.

The marriage had broken down and his new partner had suffered a similar loss although she was now pregnant again.

Judge Alistair McCreath said he recognised that Savage had been a man of good character and was remorseful for his offences, which happened at a time of personal difficulty.

But over a period of 16 months he had abused the high degree of trust placed in him by his employer. Not only did he steal £5,500 himself but made it possible for others to steal £6,500, from which he took a cut. The bogus claims were thoroughly dishonest.

Guidelines had recommended a sentence of two years but he was able to reduce it by half because of the guilty plea and personal mitigation.

[SexyLegs]

Seen this guy on loaves of bread in all the major supermarkets........

Thick Cut

[Thunderthighs]

For the last 4 Christmas's we've been moved to another centre.
Each year we've been told to claim Mileage/Expenses.

EVERY year so far, here's the excuses I've heard..."Printer not working...can't find the right PC programme...no printing paper for Claim forms"..etc/etc.

I have never received ANY travel expenses for these Christmas trips. Round-trip approx 30 miles, x 5 days.
So, is someone else claiming these on my behalf, as I haven't seen a brass farthing.

[maisymoo04]

Seen this guy on loaves of bread in all the major supermarkets........

Thick Cut

OR A WARBYS TOSS@@

[Lincox]

Should make interesting news in the COURIER

[Lounge Lizard]

Should make interesting news in the COURIER

Indeed, a lesson to us all.

[ziko]

I claimed mileage many years ago it took me well over a year and a dozen griveances along with the movement of my manager (sideways) to get my 2thousand pounds in travel and mileage expsenses..................... many others in my office just gave up - said they couldn't be bothered