Suspended jail term for Wrexham postal worker

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A POSTAL worker who stole items while employed at a sorting office has been handed a suspended prison sentence and told to pay £4,000.

Joyce Lynette Parry, of Overton Road, Eyton, Wrexham, will also have to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.

Parry had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to stealing a ring, a pair of earrings, five Franklin Mint coins, a £10 bank note, a mouse pad, a toy tiger, pen, plants and seven gift cards as well as intentionally opening postal packets without a reasonable excuse.

Magistrates in Wrexham heard that Parry, 58, opened up dozens of undeliverable postal packets that she was supposed to send on to the Chester Mail Centre between May 2008 and December 2009.

The Royal Mail became suspicious when a worker at the Chester centre noticed a number of “mistreated” and opened undeliverable items being sent from the Wrexham sorting office.

In December 2009, a covert camera was installed at the sorting office, which showed Parry opening three packets between 2.14am and 2.18am and a greetings card at 7.35am, said Miss Fitzgerald.

Parry’s home was searched and among items found were five gift cards, including a £10 Next gift card, a £20 WH Smith gift card, two £15 Argos gift cards and a £22 Boots gift card.

The five Franklin Mint coins were also discovered as well as a small cuddly tiger from the WWF charity.

Andrea Fitzgerald, prosecuting for the Royal Mail, said Parry, 58, who had never appeared in court before, blamed the stress of her job for the offences.

She had previously worked outside as a postwoman but had been transferred to the sorting office after a fall in which she broke her ankle.

Mark Davies, defending, said because his client had resigned, she was unable to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance until August and was living off savings and her retired partner’s income.

He said: “Given the nature of offending, she will find it very difficult to obtain any employment in the future.

“She fully accepts she breached trust as far as her employers are concerned and is ashamed and humbled by what happened.”

Parry was ordered to pay prosecution costs of £400 and also the full costs of the investigation into her conduct, amounting to £3,600.

She received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, as well as the community order to carry out unpaid work.