The scam stretched throughout Lancashire and into Cumbria and Yorkshire
A bogus parcel courier used a handheld scanner from Tesco to take parcels from drop-off points. John McKetchnie, 31, wore DPD and Evri branded clothing to collect parcels in a 'persistent, organised fraud', carefully planned with his getaway driver Rudolph Mancini, 71.
Preston Crown Court heard how over a three month period in 2022, McKetchnie posed as a courier to persuade staff to hand over parcels. The fraud stretched across Lancashire and as far north as Carlisle. On one occasion, he ventured into Yorkshire to target a shop in Sheffield.
On four occasions, Mancini was at the wheel to take McKetchnie to the targeted location and drive away with the parcels. When one store holder became suspicious, McKetchnie snatched the parcels and ran from the shop.
In another incident, he was recognised by someone he knew from school. They followed him and demanded the parcels back. The court heard it was impossible to identify the value of the parcels stolen.
The Recorder of Preston, Judge Robert Altham, said: "This must have caused upset and disappointment to the countless people whose parcels simply never turned up. One can only imagine the consternation the recipients of these parcels had placed upon them, having to make endless calls and deal with chatbots and emails to try and sort it out. People who engage in these sorts of frauds purposefully cause massive amounts of inconvenience."
When officers searched McKetchnie's home, they found DPD-branded clothing and an Evri hi-vis jacket. They also discovered a hand heldscanner from Tesco.
Mancini's home was adorned with ornaments; a clock; a sculpture; and a statue, taken from homeware shops. Officers also discovered a pair of DPD-branded trousers and a hi-vis vest at the house.
At the home of a third man, trainee accountant Daniel Wilkinson, officers discovered branded courier clothing and goods. Wilkinson admitted handling stolen goods and possession of items for use in fraud, but denied being involved in the conspiracy.
McKetchnie, of Cleveland Avenue, Preston, did not appear at Preston Crown Court to face sentence after pleading guilty to fraud. The court heard he has a 'dreadful record', including offences of violence, theft and robbery.
"He is a prolific thief and does not respond to community sentences", Judge Altham said. McKetchnie was jailed for two years and one month.
Mancini, of Waingate Court, Grimsargh, pleaded guilty to fraud; four counts of handling stolen goods; and possession of articles for use in fraud. The court heard he has convictions dating back to 1965, including for violence and dishonesty. His barrister said he came to court with 'trepidation' as he has recently secured a place in sheltered accommodation.
"In the past it woudn't have troubled him to go to prison, but in the present it troubles him immensely," he added.
Judge Altham said Mancini was 'a person with an entrenched criminal attitude', but accepted he could be rehabilitated. He sentenced him to 37 weeks suspended for 20 months, with 10 rehabilitation activity days.
Wilkinson, 29, of Ladybank Avenue, Preston, was handed a community order with 120 hours of unpaid work after he admitted handling stolen goods and items to be used in the fraud.
As the men left the dock, Mancini thanked the judge and wished him a merry Christmas.