FedEx driver steals toy helicopter in "grotesque" theft

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/ ... ticle.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A FEDEX deliveryman who stole a toy helicopter from a consignment he took to a Gloucester shop was sentenced to do 180 hours of unpaid community work.

Richard Knapman, 39, of Redwell Road, Matson, admitted stealing the £92 remote control helicopter which he was supposed to deliver to Antics in Northgate Street last June.

The theft was described by prosecutor Derek Ryder as "a breach of trust akin to a postman stealing from the mail".

He said that on June 8, Knapman had nine boxes, each containing two of the helicopters, to deliver to the shop.


About two hours after he had made the delivery, shop staff discovered that one of the toys had been removed from its box and immediately contacted FedEx.

Knapman was called in from his round and was told to go home while the matter was investigated.

Arrested

He was told to return next day so things could be sorted out but he did not come back and in due course was arrested.

He denied the theft throughout, until shortly before a trial was due to start, when he pleaded guilty at the last minute, Mr Ryder said.

He told the court Knapman had convictions for dishonesty in 1993 and 1997 and for violence in 1997 and 2000, but nothing since.

Joe Maloney, defending, said the theft had been "impulsive" and when challenged Knapman had compounded the offence by refusing to accept his guilt.

Knapman had been unemployed since the offence but was now taking a fork lift driving course and hoping to get another job, he said.

He is a family man with three children, he added.

Recorder Ian Pringle QC said: "You breached grotesquely the trust placed in you." He placed Knapman on a community order requiring him to do 180 hours unpaid work.

[the_damned]

Grotesque is a bit strong ain't it? It's not like he stole a head on a pike.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Grotesque is a bit strong ain't it? It's not like he stole a head on a pike.

I agree - but like most local rags with low circulation levels they do try to sex up stories.