Light-fingered postie who stole Alan Titchmarsh book

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Light-fingered postie who stole Alan Titchmarsh book given suspended prison sentence

http://www.harlowstar.co.uk/News/Harlow ... 123742.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A LIGHT-fingered postman who stole from parcels and then damaged a door window belonging to Royal Mail after being caught out has been spared jail.

Barry Fitzgerald, 53, of Bromley Close, Harlow, admitted charges of criminal damage, three thefts and one of opening six postal packets containing DVDs.

He was given an eight-week sentence suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £219.95 compensation, costs of £1,500 and a victim surcharge of £80.

Fitzgerald admitted damaging a glass panel worth £219.95 on 28 August. He also pleaded guilty to stealing a postal packet, a recorded delivery packet and 67 energy saving lightbulbs, and admitted opening six postal packets containing DVDs.

Benjamin Waidhofer, representing the Royal Mail, told Chelmsford Magistrates Court that among the items stolen was a book signed by Alan Titchmarsh, a greetings card and cheque, and a Lovefilm parcel containing two DVDs.

“On six occasions he also took a Lovefilm DVD, watched it, resealed it and sent it back,” said Mr Waidhofer.

The court heard that a Royal Mail investigator attended a property in Harlow and found items including the lightbulbs. Later, when he was approached by the investigator at the depot, he walked away and kicked the glass panel which was damaged.

When arrested he was taken to Harlow Police Station where he admitted taking one Lovefilm postal packet containing two DVDs, a greeting card and cheque, a signed book and the lightbulbs.

Mr Waidhifer said: “He said he opened the Lovefilm packet to watch the DVDs before planning to return them. He said he had a drink problem.”

Andrew Clowser, representing Fitzgerald, said in mitigation: “His marriage was in trouble and his wife reported him. He was hitting the bottle and not in a very good place.”

Mr Clowser added: “The value was less than £2,000 and the bulk of the lightbulbs were undeliverable. “

Passing sentence, chairwoman of the bench Lesley Long told Fitzgerald: “You were in a position of trust and deprived people of their rightful goods on more than one occasion but you co-operated fully with the investigation.”

[Judgee]

Great yet another thieving b@stard gets away with it!

[DGP1]

Lightbulbs.............why?????

[Sidley]

He was in a dark place

[bustedflush]

Lightbulbs.............why?????

He wasn't very bright.
Watt a jerk. Needs lamping up his jacksy. A shade too dishonest for the job.

[Lounge Lizard]

"A LIGHT-fingered postman who stole from parcels and then damaged a door window belonging to Royal Mail after being caught out has been spared jail."
Always seems to be "spared jail" when on here but not the reports in the Courier, so does the Courier only report the small minority who actually do serve a custodial sentence or does the Courier have a policy of omitting the words "suspended for two years" ?

[bustedflush]

To be fair there are a few RM employees who have nicked very few items and have escaped prison if you check the Courier. The thing is most have committed big amounts of theft before being caught, and by then prison is inevitable, as it should be. What strikes me is recently there's been a spate of managers and postmasters at it too.

[justdeno]

OMG. I know him and his family. Our parents are good friends.

[Lounge Lizard]

OMG. I know him and his family. Our parents are good friends.

Who, Alan Titchmarsh or Barry Fitzgerald ?

[justdeno]

Barry, never thought he would do this. I'm going to ring them up this eve.

[bustedflush]

Barry, never thought he would do this. I'm going to ring them up this eve.

Probably the last thing they want is for people ringing them up, further exacerbating the situation - all it will do is make them more conscious everyone knows about it and highlight the disgrace. I'd let it die down if I were you. Just sayin'.

[k979aaa]

According to Alan Tichmarsh the bulbs don't grow terribly well this time of year you should hang on watch a dvd or two and soon you can plant them just read his book oh by the way I paid for mine!

[bustedflush]

Barry, never thought he would do this. I'm going to ring them up this eve.

I never though Jimmy Savile was a monster, nor did you people. But......

[k979aaa]

Barry, never thought he would do this. I'm going to ring them up this eve.

I never though Jimmy Savile was a monster, nor did you people. But......

Lets not bring uncle Jimmy into this he was my idol 6pm every Saturday was captivated just wanted a Jimll Fix IT badge not knowing what goes with it just glad I never got to meet my idol in anyway!

[bustedflush]

It reminds me of a text-joke I had in summer.

"I was clearing the loft out when I found a 1984 copy of the Radio Times, now known as the sex-offender's register."

I now find myself calling it the SOR when I throw them off each Tuesday.....