Thieving postie swiped cash from letters

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... an-6887903" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Thieving postie swiped cash from letters



Richard Anthony Crook, 33, could face prison after opening letters to prisoners containing greetings cards to steal hundreds of pounds
Postal worker Richard Crook leaving Manchester Magistrates Court

A thieving postman ripped open letters addressed to prisoners containing greetings cards to steal hundreds of pounds.

Dad-of-two Richard Anthony Crook, 33, pleaded guilty to six counts of theft and was warned by magistrates that he could face prison.

Crook, of Hamilton Street, Swinton, started work as a postman in 1999 and was based at the Royal Mail’s north west distribution centre in Warrington. He was sacked after he was caught in the act as part of a surveillance sting.

Elizabeth Rigby, prosecuting at Manchester magistrates’ court, said the offences happened between last July and December.

The court heard 106 postal packets containing greetings cards addressed to HMP Forest Bank Prison in Swinton were found ripped open at the distribution centre.

A member of the public out walking then saw a Royal Mail worker disposing of packets in a bin. The court heard they were also addressed to HMP Forest Bank.

Crook was identified as a suspect and placed under surveillance.

Two bogus ‘test’ letters were introduced to the centre’s postal run. One contained £25 cash and the other £30 cash. The serial numbers of the bank notes were also recorded.

Ms Rigby said Crook was then observed on CCTV cameras ‘mis-sorting’ both letters into his delivery round. He opened them to steal the cash after he left the centre to make his deliveries. They empty letters were recovered.

The court heard Crook was approached by Royal Mail investigators and agreed to have his vehicle, locker and home searched. A greetings card and the £55 cash were found alongside another three greetings cards inside his vehicle.

Ms Rigby said no exact value was placed on the theft. She said: “He was interviewed and made full admissions. He said that he had been stealing greetings cards since July and stole cash. The purpose behind this act was financial gain.”

Crook also pleaded guilty to a charge that being a postal operator, he opened a postal packet.

Liam Kotrie, defending, said Crook had been under stress and was on anti-depressants. He said: “He wishes to apologise to all the innocent parties.”

The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports. Crook was bailed to appear for sentence on April 24.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Rooney is a Postman

[Straight4ward]

An appropriate surname.

You R.A. Crook.

[DavidFS]

I'm sure he justified it to himself by saying that he was only stealing from prisoners. But theft is theft and he deserves what he gets. He better hope he doesn't get put in beside all his victims.

[bustedflush]

Rooney is a Postman

BEFORE the hair-plugs........

[datasaint]

I never understand how petty theft like this is worth losing your job over, moral issues notwithstanding.

[stokes11eg]

I never understand how petty theft like this is worth losing your job over, moral issues notwithstanding.

Yes! I hope he goes to jail.

[Lounge Lizard]

I never understand how petty theft like this is worth losing your job over, moral issues notwithstanding.

Yes, just unfortunate that "‘mis-sorting’ letters into his delivery round" can so easily be done, and hand written greetings cards are all the more likely to be manually sorted.