Postie took more than 6,000 letters

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/postie ... -1-5989524" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A postwoman who stashed thousands of letters and parcels at her Sutton home because she says she was struggling with the job is to be sentenced at crown court.

Magistrates at Mansfield said that such was the breach of trust that they did not have the sentencing powers to deal with the case against Emma Pearce, of Leyton Avenue, Sutton.

The court was told how more than 6,040 correspondents were found at the 36-year-old’s home, spread throughout the property, including in her wardrobe, her shed, bed-side drawers, a wheelie bin and in her car. Some dated back to 2010.

Pearce, formerly of Carnarvon Street in Sutton, was charged with three counts of theft, and two counts of purposely delaying the delivery of postal packets.

She admitted all five charges, however, Pearce maintained that she did not take the letters and parcels for personal gain, but because she simply could not cope with the her postal round.

Defending Deborah Bell said: “She has always maintained that she did not do this to steal the contents of the mail. She did it because she could not keep up with delivering it.

“It built up until it just became unmanageable for her.”

She added that Pearce was now getting counselling for her issues.

The private prosecution was brought against former postie Pearce by Royal Mail.

She had worked for the service for two years and four months, based first at the Mansfield office, then at the Sutton sorting office.

But concerns were eventually raised by staff at the Sutton office about parcels that had gone missing, as well as complaints from members of the public who had not received mail.

After postal bosses called for a meeting with Pearce, she failed to turn in for work.

When they eventually went to her home they found the thousands of letters and packages, many unopened, scattered around her home.

There were greetings cards, DVDs and computer games among other items that had been found opened.

When interviewed she said she had struggled with her postal round and had every intention of delivering them, but things ‘got on top of her’.

Miss Bell said Pearce did approach her boss and explained she could not cope, although did not let on that she had failed to deliver thousands of letters.

She said she got no sympathy or assistance, other than a move to the Sutton office because it was deemed less stressful than being at the busier Mansfield office.

Pearce had even brought a bank statement with her to the hearing to show that neither her or her husband were struggling financially, so did not feel compelled to steal money from letters.

However, two of the charges put to Pearce related to specific amounts of cash that had gone missing in the post. One of them was for £200. The card was found opened at Pearce’s property, but the money was gone.

After deliberating, the magistrates said: “The significant matter for us is the breach of trust on such a large scale, so we are committing it to crown court.”

Pearce is due before Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on 13th September.

[beria]

I think that she deserves some help, but stealing the mail is a serious offence !

[NWpostie]

I think that she deserves some help, but stealing the mail is a serious offence !

She did ask for help and didn't get any, which doesn't surprise me.

[stokes11eg]

Funny how most of the undeliverd mail seems to be the items with some value.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Suspended sentence for postal worker after thousands of letters and parcels go missing

http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/suspen ... -1-6050226" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A postal worker from Sutton who was responsible for 6,000 letters and packages not being delivered, has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Emma Pearce found her job got on top of her as she was going through a period of personal crisis, Nottingham Crown Court was told.

It was accepted the 36-year-old, of Layton Avenue, was not stealing to sell on for profit.

She pleaded guilty to delaying the mail and theft, on the basis that items had gone missing.

She had been with the Post Office since 2009, originally in Yorkshire before transferring to the Mansfield area in 2010, said Clarkson Baptiste, prosecuting.

But her rounds became too much for her and there were complaints from the public.

The manager at the Mansfield sorting office noticed a package addressed to him which had not been delivered. His home was on her round.

Her barrister Sarah Munro said Pearce, who had now quit her job, was of previous good character.

Her soldier husband, who had served in Iraq, was often away from home. Their marriage had also broken down, the court was told.

“She has lost everything and is now back at her parents’ home,” said Miss Munro.

Judge John Burgess told Pearce: “Undoubtedly your job got on top of you.”

The judge said hardship had been caused, with hundreds of people missing out on their mail.

The sentence was six months suspended for 12 months, with 180 hours unpaid work to do for the community.

She has to pay £242 compensation for a missing commemorative coin and a greeting card containing £200, as well as £85 towards the prosecution costs.

[UnhappyGremlin]

The manager at the Mansfield sorting office noticed a package addressed to him which had not been delivered. His home was on her round.

I don't condone this type of behaviour in any way, shape, or form, in fact I utterly deplore it.

But....if you're going to do it, at least make sure the MANAGER'S mail gets there.
She may as well have worn a neon sign around her neck, that's the only way it could have been more obvious.

Pathetic sentence, the excuses put forward are just that, and irrelevant to the crime committed.

[Darren Bent]

Manager will noticed more if you don't deliver it.