Postman jailed for six months for stealing mail

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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A CROOKED postman who stole more than 130 postal packets he should have been delivering has been jailed for six months.

Ian Pilkington of Castledine Road, Anerley, admitted stealing the parcels between July 2009 and August 2011.

The 55-year-old also stole £200 in cash and £200 worth of gift vouchers from a number of postal packets, between the same dates.

Croydon Magistrates' Court heard Pilkington was caught after a member of the public contacted Royal Mail, to say her son had found a postal sack containing five packages, in their rubbish.

An investigation was launched and it was discovered the packages should have been delivered by Pilkington.

The father-of-one was put under surveillance, which led to his arrest.

Denis Bradley, prosecuting said a search of Pilkington's home uncovered the postal packets and in interview he admitted to taking cash and vouchers from envelopes.

He also said he would rip up any cheques he came across.

The court heard the thefts started shortly after Pilkington's mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

After her death in February 2010, Pilkington felt lonely and started drinking heavily and gambling.

Graham Pithouse, defending said: "He was distressed by what was happening to his mother and instead of seeking help he sank into the depths of depression.

"He accepts that any future work processes are blighted by this type of conviction and that is something he will have to live with for the rest of his life."

Pilkington who faced five charges of theft and one charge of failing to deliver post was jailed for six months for each offence to run concurrently.

Magistrates told him: "This is so serious only a custodial sentence can be justified. You breached a high position of trust over a long period of time."

[CORTINA]

Its sad to hear a postie go bad or end up this way.....and take advantage of his postion

I also have an issue about Adam Crozier taking advantage of his position at R M and getting 60 times more pay per a week than a postie, sadly this was legal at our expense..... both are wrong ...... but capitilism breeds this type of massive greed by some at the top.