Warwick University post worker stole £17,000 from till

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A WORKER at Warwick University’s Post Office who stole £17,000 to pay off mounting debts has been spared jail.

Clive Haverley, aged 57, had been siphoning cash from the Royal Mail since March 2007 while working as a counter clerk at the University of Warwick Post Office, in Gibbet Hill Road.

Haverley, of Coventry Road, Lawford, Rugby, appeared at Coventry Crown Court after pleading guilty to theft.

He was handed a 36-week jail sentence, suspended for a year, and was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.




Warwick Tatford, prosecuting, said the defendant had been employed at the post office branch since 1991 and his role meant he had responsibility for maintaining the branch’s accounts on a computer system.

Mr Tatford said: “The post office runs a computer system which depends on the honesty of the person responsible for using it.

“An audit took place in February last year. It had been noticed there had been large amount of cash held overnight at the post office before the monthly accounts were done and then reduced afterwards.

“The defendant was interviewed on two occasions – he accepted he was cooking the books to cover up unexplained losses. He put his hand in the till, as it were.

“The sub postmaster and four other staff were suspended. Although they were not treated as suspects those people were put in a rather difficult position because the defendant hadn’t come clean about the offences.”



During his second interview with Royal Mail bosses, Haverley admitted he was responsible for the losses and produced documents to prove he was “hopelessly” in debt.

Richard Davenport, defending, said: “Mr Haverley suffers from prostate cancer, he’s lost his job and he’s lost his respect in the local community.

“He feels deeply ashamed for what he’s done and he will repay every penny he’s stolen and even more than he took in the first place.

“I know a breach of trust is taken very seriously. However
this case is unusual.
“He pleaded guilty at the first hearing and entered an agreement with the employer to repay all the money he owes and a charging order has been placed on his property.”

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: “All staff who work in post offices are in a unique position of trust and it is always disappointing when that trust is breached.

“The majority of people who work in our branch network are professional, honest and provide the highest standards of service.”

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"Warwick Tatford, prosecuting ... a worker at Warwick University’s Post Office" - you couldn't make it up.