A postman has lost his job after stealing a package containing nearly £1,000 worth of foreign currency.
John Loudon, 45, of Hamilton Avenue, Dumfries, was caught after a post office assistant reported he had exchanged Swiss francs for sterling.
He admitted the offence at the town's Royal Mail deliveries office in Great King Street in January this year.
Loudon was ordered to carry out 200 hours community service and pay compensation at Dumfries Sheriff Court.
Depute procurator fiscal Pamela Rhodes said investigations were set up when it was found the package had not been received.
Inquiries found it had been delivered, but there was no signature.
Prison sentence
Several days later a post office assistant in the town reported that Loudon had exchanged a number of Swiss francs for sterling.
When confronted he admitted that he had taken the package containing £939 in foreign currency.
Solicitor Bill McVicar said Loudon was well aware of the seriousness of the offence and the fact that he could be facing a prison sentence.
He had put aside money to repay the cash and that could be done right away.
Sheriff Kenneth Barr said it was a serious breach of trust but because Loudon was a first offender and the money was being repaid he would not impose a prison sentence.
Not excactly Great train robber is he.... It was a cry for help more like knowing he would be caught!!! 
