Norwich postal worker who opened mail is uncovered by tracki

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Norwich postal worker who opened mail is uncovered by tracking device

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Investigators used a tracking device hidden in a greetings card to ensnare a light-fingered postal worker.

The locator revealed that Sally Hazell took the card home and opened it to remove cash, before posting it on to its final destination.

Royal Mail investigators staged the sting after growing suspicious of items of post due to have been delivered by Hazell were returned to the post office, Norwich magistrates heard yesterday.

Hazell, 50, of High Green, Brooke, pleaded guilty to charges of opening mail as a postal worker and theft. Magistrates adjourned her case for probation reports, warning that her case did pass the custody threshold because of the breach of trust.

Investigations began after post from Hazell’s rounds was found in a pillar box in the village, where she dumped the items when she couldn’t complete her deliveries in time. On one occasion the item included a greetings card that had been opened.

Hugh Cauthery, prosecuting, said: “As a result, on September 22, investigators arranged for an item to be introduced into a delivery due to be dealt with by Mrs Hazell. It disappeared and was never delivered.”

A second test was performed on October 13, this time with a location-tracking device, which showed that Hazell took the card home overnight, before posting it in the pillarbox outside her home the following morning.


When the card was recovered it was “opened, and minus its contents”, a £10 and £5 note, said Mr Cauthery. One of the notes was subsequently matched by serial number to money in Hazell’s purse.

She admitted the offences in interview and resigned from her position, which she had held for 23 years.

Alistair Taunton, mitigating, said Hazell had to juggle caring for her wheelchair-bound sister and the increasing pressures of her job.

“She accepts that she didn’t have time to deliver the items so she put the post back in the postbox,” he said.

“Her job is the only thing that gets her out of the house and gives her freedom.”

He added Hazell “bitterly regrets” taking the money, as she did not need it, and said her chances of finding further employment were now “slim, if not negligible.”

Hazell will be sentenced on March 22.

[DGP1]

[slave]

Yet another "couldn’t complete delivery in time" - maybe it's just me, or is there a pattern developing??

[stokes11eg]

23 years service! No sympathy.

[Stormproof]

They always seem to pull a sick relative out of the bag as if that justifies stealing.