Postie admits stealing on rounds

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/ev ... 3A52%3A900" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A DISHONEST postman with 18 years service behind him has admitted stealing cash and gift tokens from birthday cards on his rounds in Suffolk.

Kevin Allen, 46, of Manderston Road, Newmarket, appeared before magistrates in Bury St Edmunds yesterday and pleaded guilty to stealing money and vouchers worth £200, five DVDs, and two other parcels instead of delivering the items as he should have.

The court heard that the disgraced father of three had been caught after Royal Mail investigators planted packages and cards containing valuables into Allen's post bag and monitored what happened.

Hugh Cauthery, prosecuting for Royal Mail, said that Allen immediately confessed his thefts when confronted in September last year.

Jeremy Kendall, defending Allen, said: “He feels true remorse for what he has done. The stealing began when he got into financial difficulties following his divorce.”

Magistrates ordered an all options report for sentencing, warning Allen, who has no previous convictions; he still might face a jail term. The 46-year-old was given unconditional bail and told to return to the court on February 12 for sentencing.

[DGP1]

Is it really worth it, losing your job for a few hundred quid .

[not me]

idiot,i really dont get these guys
criminal record,lose your job and for what? a few weeks D2D moneys worth of stuff

[andy2007]

They do it, because they think they can get away with it. And let's face it: There's no real deterrant for them to worry about, even if they get caught. The Courts should take this type of Crime seriously, and give serious Jail Sentences to them. Perhaps if they faced 5 or 6 years in Jail, if they get caught. They wouldn't risk it in the first place.

[stokes11eg]

They do it, because they think they can get away with it. And let's face it: There's no real deterrant for them to worry about, even if they get caught. The Courts should take this type of Crime seriously, and give serious Jail Sentences to them. Perhaps if they faced 5 or 6 years in Jail, if they get caught. They wouldn't risk it in the first place.

Quite right--klock them up and throw away the key.

[NWpostie]

They do it, because they think they can get away with it. And let's face it: There's no real deterrant for them to worry about, even if they get caught. The Courts should take this type of Crime seriously, and give serious Jail Sentences to them. Perhaps if they faced 5 or 6 years in Jail, if they get caught. They wouldn't risk it in the first place.

They used to hang you for stealing mail in the 1700s I think that only stopped in the 1820s, I remember reading report on a young Postboy stealing money from mail, he was "hanged by the neck until dead", the Courts then certainly don't piss about.

[andy2007]

Come on. Don't you think that would be somewhat excessive?
What I'm talking about, is a real deterrant. Considering that you can get out early, for good behaviour. What I think we need: Is a long enough sentance, that even with good behaviour, they would still have do do a couple of years.

That would (in my opinion) be long enough to make them think twice, before stealing from the Mail. But not so long, that they would have their lives screwed up. I just don't feel that the current system, really has any kind of deterant value. It's purely a punishment. And how will that cut this type of crime?
Once they've been caught once, they won't get their job back. So they won't have the opportunity to do it again. But surely prevention is better than cure, isn't it?

[NWpostie]

agreed, the courts are a bit soft and no deterrent.



I wouldn't support hanging for postal offences, I do think some public naming and shaming would be just as good, bring back the stocks I have some rotten tomatos handy

[andy2007]

Now THAT'S a good idea!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Perhaps this is one idea "wallmart" got right - which explains why :lfo didn't copy it

[DGP1]

It's only a short step to this

While I agree that sentences are too short sometimes, we still lock up more people than nearly every other western country and it doesn't seem to stop people offending, we need to find alternative ways of dealing with first time criminals before they become habitual criminals.

[NWpostie]

It's only a short step to this

While I agree that sentences are too short sometimes, we still lock up more people than nearly every other western country and it doesn't seem to stop people offending, we need to find alternative ways of dealing with first time criminals before they become habitual criminals.

Thats why they hanged them in the 1700s

[andy2007]

It's only a short step to this

While I agree that sentences are too short sometimes, we still lock up more people than nearly every other western country and it doesn't seem to stop people offending, we need to find alternative ways of dealing with first time criminals before they become habitual criminals.

Sorry, I didn't explain myself properly. What I meant, was that naming and shaming is a good idea. Vigilanties should also be punnished. They have good intentions, but it's wrong for people to take the Law into their own hands.

[pocky20]

i was always told that when you get caught stealing from rm that they did not do anything as they dont like to get out but at xmas time ib came in to my place of work and took some guy out who was nicking things so its good that they do this i dont know why any one would want to lose there jobs for a few quid for drink or drugs or girls lol just say no

[k979aaa]

It's only a short step to this

While I agree that sentences are too short sometimes, we still lock up more people than nearly every other western country and it doesn't seem to stop people offending, we need to find alternative ways of dealing with first time criminals before they become habitual criminals.

Can we then tar and feather the two biggest crim's in royalmail :lfo & :cfo for they have stole more than money can buy!.