Thieving postman from Northern Moor is spared jail

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Cash-strapped postman David Williams ripped open greetings cards and helped himself to around £300.

But his 10-week stealing spree ended after a woman saw him dump ‘something’ in a wheelie bin outside her home. She found a torn up birthday card and a recorded delivery label. She went to the police and Williams, 51, was later trapped by ‘test’ letters in his deliveries, Manchester magistrates’ court heard.

One of the letters contained £50 and a tracking device – and the money was later found in his wallet.

Royal Mail prosecutor Peter Gilmour said over a four-day period in March several opened greetings card type packets were recovered.

Quizzed by mail investigators, Williams confessed to targeting card items. He estimated he had stolen £250-£300.

Williams, of Lawton Moor Road, Northern Moor, pleaded guilty to four counts of theft and attempted theft. He was sentenced to four months imprisonment suspended for a year and 200 hours of unpaid work.

Chairman of the bench Roger Walker told him: “What you did was a gross breach of trust and crosses the custody threshold. “But we are not sending you to prison because of your remorse and previous good record”.

Matthew Wallace, defending, said Williams, a postman for 12 years, had been having financial difficulties and didn’t ‘know which way to turn’. “He is deeply sorry and ashamed and feels that he has ruined his life through this”.

The prosecution had asked for costs totalling over £2,000 but because of his limited means Williams was ordered to pay £100.

[stokes11eg]

Funny how they always feel remorse after the event.And ANOTHER one bites the dust,his and his families life ruined for less than a weeks wages!