Hartlepool Postman denies mail theft

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/lo ... -1-5341556" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A POSTMAN has gone on trial accused of stealing mail.

Philip Newman, 48, is alleged to have stolen two recorded delivery items while he worked at the Royal Mail delivery office in Hartlepool.

He went on trial yesterday at Teesside Crown Court where he denies two counts of theft from Royal Mail Group on April 17 and 26 last year.

The court heard how staff at the office mounted a surveillance operation against Newman after a recorded delivery package went missing.

Prosecutor Barry Robson told the jury that a postal worker noticed the package in Newman’s mail, even though the destined address was not part of his round.

The package, which contained a £20 Marks & Spencer voucher, had already been tried to be delivered but no-one was at home so a card for collection was left.

Mr Robson, said: “The prosecution say an experienced postman like this would have noticed there was a ‘notice left’ mark and he would have put that aside to be put into the callers’ office to be collected.

“What happened was it was turned upside down in a way that the address wasn’t readily readable.”

Mr Robson said Newman took the package out with him on his round, and it was not seen again.

The owner of the package went to the office the next day to collect it, but it could not be found.

As a result of the incident, a surveillance investigation began on Newman.

On April 26, Mr Robson said Newman was seen on CCTV to take another recorded delivery package when sorting the mail, again despite it not being on his round.

Mr Robson added: “He was putting things into his round which should have gone somewhere else.”

The court heard that investigators had put three fake birthday cards into the mail to see if Newman tampered with them, but he did not touch any.

When interviewed by bosses, Newman, of Hartley Close, Hartlepool, said he was not aware the items were wrongly included in his round and blamed human error.

He denied doing anything dishonest.

The trial continues.

[Pat Ostman]

interesting.....

[scoobydo79]

Well if He gets off it will be a hollow victory. Workmates wont trust him and Royal Mail IB will watch Him like hawks

[Pat Ostman]

I just do not see how it passed as a plausible case. Guilty or innocent they do not seem to have anything at all on him.

[BernardBresslaw]

Can the CCTV now zoom in close enough to read the addresses on packets? Seems like that is the only evidence and even that is flimsy at best. Reads like a stitch up.

[Lounge Lizard]

"When interviewed by bosses, Newman, of Hartley Close, Hartlepool, said he was not aware the items were wrongly included in his round and blamed human error" - either that or the monkey.

[TeeferTiger]

Can the CCTV now zoom in close enough to read the addresses on packets? Seems like that is the only evidence and even that is flimsy at best. Reads like a stitch up.

Yes, it can... They've caught other people like that before now.

[fishtank]

It's one of those "there's more to it" stories i think.

[Pat Ostman]

Can the CCTV now zoom in close enough to read the addresses on packets? Seems like that is the only evidence and even that is flimsy at best. Reads like a stitch up.

Yes, it can... They've caught other people like that before now.

But it does not prove anything other than they took out a package not intended for their round. It does not prove intent.

They needed something else.

They tried three bogus birthday cards, no doubt with trackers, none were touched.

It's one of those "there's more to it" stories i think.

Absolutely.

[monkeyhanger666]

"LETS PUT THE STORY STRAIGHT WITH FACTS AND NOT FICTION"

Quote from actual letter sent to P.Newman on 30th April 2013:

"Dear Mr Newman,
Ref Teesside Crown Court
I am writing to confirm the result of the hearing on Monday 29th April 2013 at Teesside Crown Court, where you appeared for your trial on 2 matters of theft. After some discussion with the prosecutor and the Judge, the prosecution decided they would offer NO EVIDENCE to either charge and formal verdicts of NOT GUILTY were entered against those charges".

THE FACTS

The gift card in question has not been located and has not even been spent.
3 test items that were presented to Mr Newman via sorting were all also handled correctly.
Mr Newmans home, his person and his locker were all searched by investigators and nothing was found relating to any criminality past or present.
Mr Newman was still well within post office premises when stopped by investigators and not given the chance to even attempt delivery.
Mr Newman is at present in the process of lodging a complaint against the investigating officers for their handling of the case.
CCTV footage does NOT show Mr Newman trying to secrete anything upon his person.
Item in question on the CCTV footage had NOT been opened or tampered with in any way whatsoever.

Mr Newman was dismissed from royal mail on 28th May 2012 by Mr B Todd ACTING office manager at Hartlepool.
The basis of his decision was of "reasonable belief" that an item WAS GOING TO BE STOLEN.
Mr Newman and his union representatives raised several key and valid points during his disciplinary hearing and subsequent appeal hearing, but they were mostly rejected out of hand.
Many of Mr Newmans former colleagues and friends had great concerns about royal mails accusations against him, owing to the fact he had a 25 year clean work record and no criminal record either.
Although the dismissal caused great financial pressure Mr Newman is pleased with the court outcome proving his innocence but alas is very agrieved with the decision to dismiss based upon an acting managers "reasonable belief".
Many thanks to my legal team who had belief in me and worked tirelessly towards a just outcome of this very shameful matter.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

excellent news and thanks for the update

[UnhappyGremlin]

I didn't think acting lino's had the authority to dismiss. I thought that it was a minimum substantive manager, of DOM/DSM level.
Presumably his dismissal is very unsafe after this court case's total failure. Though I think it was prior to this. Zero evidence of any wrong doing, and a very long clean record. ET may still be possible, but certainly a civil suit, if nothing else, for defamation of character.

Congratulations to him, and good luck.

[Pat Ostman]

What a stich up. Fight it.

[clashcityrocker]

I didn't think acting lino's had the authority to dismiss. I thought that it was a minimum substantive manager, of DOM/DSM level.

It doesn't say an acting lino dismissed him. It says the dismissal was based on the "reasonable belief" of the acting manager.
I presume that means a manager standing in for the usual manager.

[UnhappyGremlin]

I didn't think acting lino's had the authority to dismiss. I thought that it was a minimum substantive manager, of DOM/DSM level.

It doesn't say an acting lino dismissed him. It says the dismissal was based on the "reasonable belief" of the acting manager.
I presume that means a manager standing in for the usual manager.

Oh. Did I misinterpret this...

Mr Newman was dismissed from royal mail on 28th May 2012 by Mr B Todd ACTING office manager at Hartlepool.

So, even if it wasn't an acting lino, it was an acting DOM. I.e. not a substantive DOM, which was the required rank for dismissals, or so I was told by my DOM.