Judge jails 'morally despicable' thieving Derby postman

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A POSTMAN stole cash, DVDs and games worth thousands of pounds from cards and packages to fund his gambling and drug addictions.

Stephen Mackin, who was based at Derby delivery office and admitted stealing the items over almost three years, has been jailed for four months.

He was caught after his bosses became suspicious and planted packages in his collections – some of which he stole.

Judge David Pugsley told the 27-year-old, of Wensley Drive, Spondon, he must go immediately to prison.

Judge Pugsley said: “I believe it’s important to send out a message loud and clear that those who steal post will go to prison.

“There are many reasons for that but the principal one is simply a matter of trust. When you post a letter, you expect it to arrive – when you post a letter with some cash in for a friend or family. The theft of that is morally despicable and what I fear we must never do is to allow the public to think it doesn’t matter.”

Derby Crown Court was told that when Mackin was caught on August 23 last year, he said: “you’ve got me bang to rights.”

Police found on him 36 greeting cards that had been opened and 13 that were still sealed, as well as one Love Film DVD.

At his home was 171 opened greeting cards, three sealed letters, five DVDs, a PlayStation game and an Xbox game.

Prosecutor Martin Smith said: “A total of 230 stolen postal packages were recovered from his person and home address – all had been posted after August 6, 2013.

“He was interviewed under caution and he made full and frank admissions.

“He said he had problems with cannabis and gambling – he smoked about £40 a day and spent £200 a week on gambling. He went on to explain that he was funding his lifestyle by stealing.”

Mackin said he had also stolen from colleagues’ collections to divert suspicion from himself.

Mr Smith said Mackin admitted stealing about £150 in cash a month and had to steal a “very considerable number” of greeting cards to do this.

“It is estimated that he stole £6,600 from greetings cards,” said Mr Smith.

Dominic Shelley, in mitigation, said Mackin had cried during his police interview and before his sentencing yesterday.

Mr Shelley said: “This is a young man that recognises he has breached, in a wholesale fashion, the trust put in him.”

He said that Mackin, since his arrest, had done his best to turn around his life and sought help with his cannabis addiction.

Mr Shelley said Mackin told him: “I have had enough now.

“While I’m off cannabis I feel good in myself but I feel bad about what I’ve done.

“I have been using cannabis since I was 12 years old. It has ruined my life and affected my family and has now affected the public.”

Judge Pugsley said he took into account, when sentencing Mackin, his admissions had been significant to the prosecution case.

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TELEGRAPH COMMENT: Judge right to jail pilfering Derby post worker

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NOT every thief is jailed these days.

Far from it, in fact. With prison overcrowding a growing problem, and a determination of the authorities to rehabilitate wherever possible, many of those who pilfer from their employers get away with a suspended sentence, a fine and/or community service.

Which might leave postman Stephen Mackin feeling a bit unlucky and sorry for himself as he gazes out through the bars of his cell today.

He should not be.

Is it right for people in certain jobs to be hammered by the courts if they offend? Yes, it surely is.

Mackin stole cash, DVDs and games worth thousands of pounds from cards and packages with which he was entrusted.

He was doing so to fund gambling and drug addictions – and sometimes that excuse can be enough to sway a judge if a barrister can convince him that the offender is not striving hard to conquer this failing and return to the straight and narrow.

But Mackin has been sentenced to four months – not a moment too long, though the chances are he will only serve half of that.

Most of us have had unhappy experiences, over the years, of sending or receiving mail from which gift tokens, money or other items have disappeared.

It lowers public confidence in the Royal Mail and, at this time of year, can ruin the festive spirit in a household when trust in the postal services is abused.

Judge David Pugsley described the thefts as “morally despicable”. He is absolutely right.

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Judge David Pugsley described the thefts as “morally despicable”. He is absolutely right.

Hear, hear!