Former SAS soldier who stole parcels spared jail so he can tackle his PTSD

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news ... _his_PTSD/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A former SAS soldier who posed as a postal worker to steal packages from a sorting office has been given another chance.

Andrew Wilson was just a few weeks into a suspended sentence imposed after he tried to rob a woman as she was suing a cash machine when he was caught again.

But after hearing the 40-year-old could get help for his drug addiction and post traumatic stress disorder a judge put off passing sentence.

Hannah Squire, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how a member of staff at Royal Mail's Dorcan base spotted Wilson in the yard on the night of Tuesday September 26.


Although the defendant was kitted out in a Royal Mail high visibility jacket the witness was concerned as he looked 'a bit scruffy'.

The worker thought the man was throwing parcels over the fence to collect later so he asked Wilson if he was a Post Office employee.

He replied that he was cold and going home and told him he could have his jacket back, Miss Squire said.

But the genuine worker took him back to the office with him, the police were called and a number of opened packages were found.


Wilson, of Cromwell, Freshbrook, denied theft but was convicted by magistrates. He admitted another matter of vehicle interference.

Less than eight weeks earlier he had been put on a 15 month suspended sentence for a string of offences including trying to rob a woman at a cash machine.

On that occasion he pounced as she took the notes from the hole in the wall and tried to prise her fingers off the money having grabbed her in a bear hug.

Adam Williams, defending, said his client had served his country only turning to heroin after his discharge because of the physical and mental injuries he sustained.

He said he has post traumatic stress disorder as a result of what he saw and what happened to him during his time with the Signals and the SAS.

If he is spared jail he said he hoped to receive treatment at the Cenacolo unit in Cumbria to tackle his addiction.


Judge Tim Mousley QC said "It is quite clear from the extensive material put before me and what Mr Williams has said that you have very compelling mitigation.

"There is your distinguished military history and what the psychiatrist has said about you.

"It is quite obvious you have been committing offences over a relatively short period. That is due to your addiction to class A drugs.

"But the material put before me today also indicates that you are someone that is taking very positive steps to do something about your addiction.

"It is quite clear, notwithstanding the difficulties with your mental health, you are someone who possesses considerable willpower."

He deferred passing sentence for six months to allow him to complete the Cenacolo course and abide by a night time curfew.

In August Recorder Michael Vere-Hodge QC spared him immediate jail after hearing he could get help at the residential unit in the Lake District.

He told him "The service to your country is something that every court has to recognise once.

"This is your one-off credit for that. It is not something that can be advanced each time should you get in trouble."

[Lounge Lizard]

Andrew Wilson was just a few weeks into a suspended sentence imposed after he tried to rob a woman as she was suing a cash machine when he was caught trying to steal packages from a sorting office has been given another chance but the 40-year-old could get help for his drug addiction and post traumatic stress disorder so has been let off.
Incredible.

[DB1100]

He has got serious problems with good reason,he deserves a chance to get himself sorted out,;http://www.talking2minds-training.co.uk ... n-264-sas/