Postie in court over stolen mail

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From Lancashire Telegraph http://www.lancashireeveningtelegraph.c ... n_mail.php

A THIEVING postwoman rifled through dozens of letters and packages before dumping them in a post box.

Royal Mail investigators moved in after 124 "mistreated" postal packages were found in an Accrington post-box.

Hyndburn magistrates heard that a further bundle of postal packages were found on wasteland and as a result marked banknotes, vouchers and coins were planted.
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And some of the marked items were found in the possession of postwoman Helen Balderstone, whose round had been implicated by the original discoveries.

Balderstone, 33, of Lodge Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to theft of 124 postal packets, theft of a postal packet containing a £20 Woolworths voucher, and theft of three postal packages containing cash.

She was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report with a warning that custody would be an option for the sentencing bench.

John Didsbury, prosecuting, said Balderstone had been employed at the Accrington delivery office for nearly nine years. The mistreated packages were from her round and the plants were placed in her sack.

When she was interviewed Balderstone initially denied being responsible, saying she had found the £10 notes in the depot and had bought the voucher.

She eventually admitted what she had done and estimated she had taken about £200 in cash and £200 in vouchers.

"That may be correct or it may be wildly inaccurate but the Royal Mail have no way of checking," said Mr Didsbury.

Gareth Price, defending, said his client had no previous convictions. He said she had been having severe financial difficulties.

"She was struggling to keep a roof over her head and she accepts she involved herself in this offence," said Mr Price. "It was a small amount of money given the consequences she now faces."

Mr Price said his client had found another job but on £150 a week less than she had been earning as a postwoman.

"It is not likely she is going to find herself responsible and well paid employment again," he added.

11:06am today