Whickham postwoman plundered packages

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-ea ... -30242909/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A TRUSTED post office worker stole cash from letters and packages after racking up gambling debts of £50,000.

Glynis Kirvan had worked for Royal Mail for 23 years and held a position of responsibility as a delivery manager at sorting offices.

After a family ordeal, Kirvan developed a gambling habit which left her facing huge debts.

In a disgraceful abuse of trust, she used her position at sorting offices in Newcastle and Cramlington to siphon off mail.

When her home was searched some 1,173 stolen items were discovered, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

They included sympathy and birthday cards which did not reach their intended destinations because Kirvan had opened them looking for cash.

Now the 54-year-old has been jailed for 16 months after admitting theft and fraud.


Mr Justice Coulson told her: “Thefts like this cause alarm and distress among members of the public who expect to receive items.

“This is an extremely sad case, but it was a gross breach of trust over a lengthy period.”

Kirvan stole the items while dealing with mis-sorted mail at the two depots where she worked.

She began taking items in 2007 and got away with it for three years before her offending came to light by chance. The court heard a woman had sent her daughter an Asda voucher and when it did not arrive enquiries showed Kirvan had cashed it at the Metrocentre in Gateshead.

The packages found in Kirvan’s home were mainly envelopes and cards.

Royal Mail sent out letters to those effected and of the 10% of customers who responded the losses were estimated at £2,625. However, the true figure could be up to 10 times that.

Robin Patton, prosecuting, said: “She accepts having stolen an unknown amount of packages.

“She would have known that one of the most difficult ways to detect thefts from the post office is if someone steals from the mis-sorted mail, as it’s not tied to a particular round or street.”

Kirvan, of The Drive, Whickham, Gateshead, pleaded guilty to four counts of theft and three of fraud.

Julie Clemitson, defending, said: “She understands the harm she has caused. She is remorseful and is appalled to what she has done to people.

“She had layer upon layer of emotional difficulties and had become more detached from her family.

“She escaped into gambling and her debts began to accrue.”

[daveyeff]

she was an acting dom at our office in the late 90s, transfered in from blaydon. used to come for a drink with us down the high st, she was ok to work for and easy going and good to get along with. dont know whats went wrong in her personal life, but oh, how the mighty have fallen. she had the know how of the job and it was plain to see she was going to be promoted to higher ranks. dsm or higher. sad to see this is how she,s ended up. what a mess.

[DGP1]

I wonder how many posties came under suspicion?

[fishtank]

Who uses the word "plundered" these days?
Alliteration in a serious story about theft...is the journalist a 12 year old or a pirate?

[daveyeff]

I wonder how many posties came under suspicion?

when she was at ours, she was part of a team that set up a ''sting'' for a phg suspected of pinching money from mail. she,s done the EXACT same thing as the kid they sacked, that was set up. what a change of circumstances, i really find it unbelievable thats she,s in jail. gives us all a bad name in some peoples eyes though.

[DGP1]

I wonder how many posties came under suspicion?

when she was at ours, she was part of a team that set up a ''sting'' for a phg suspected of pinching money from mail. she,s done the EXACT same thing as the kid they sacked, that was set up. what a change of circumstances, i really find it unbelievable thats she,s in jail. gives us all a bad name in some peoples eyes though.

Surely some suspicion on that verdict now

[daveyeff]

I wonder how many posties came under suspicion?

when she was at ours, she was part of a team that set up a ''sting'' for a phg suspected of pinching money from mail. she,s done the EXACT same thing as the kid they sacked, that was set up. what a change of circumstances, i really find it unbelievable thats she,s in jail. gives us all a bad name in some peoples eyes though.

Surely some suspicion on that verdict now

nah, not at all, he,d been suspected before she came to our office. when she came she arranged the sting. they put £15 in an envelope that had been 'split' down the side. it was then put in the ''kill off'' mails. the i.b. watched as he took the bait,,,,,then lifted him.