Ex-footballer Alan Lawrence guilty of postal theft

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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FORMER Hearts and Airdrie player Alan Lawrence has admitted the theft of postal packets and their contents, while employed as a postman.

Alan Lawrence, one of Airdrieonians’ Scottish Cup heroes of the 1990’s pled guilty at Airdrie Sheriff Court today to a charge of stealing postal packets and their contents, over a year.

Lawrence, 51, of West Drive, Airdrie, Lanarkshire, carried out the theft from Airdrie Delivery Office, Buchanan Street, Airdrie, between May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2012.

Lawrence, nicknamed “Nipper” during his playing days, was present in court when his case was called at Airdrie Sheriff Court.

Through lawyer, Paul Belardo, Lawrence confirmed he was pleading guilty to the offences. Asked by Sheriff Petra Collins to confirm he was pleading guilty, he nodded his head and said “yes.”


Prosecutor Lindsay Mains said: “The value of the contents stolen came to £500. When interviewed by police he made full admissions. The offence took place at various times during that year while he was employed by the Royal Mail. As a result of anonymous information post office investigators tagged postal packets, which were subsequently went missing, traced to Mr Lawrence’s home and recovered. The packets contained sums of money totalling £500.”

Sheriff Collins deferred sentence until next month for background reports, including supervision and unpaid work. He was ordained to appear.

Lawrence left court refusing to make any comment.

Career

Lawrence, whose career spanned 20 years, began with Meadowbank Thistle, now Livingston, and then moved on to Dundee, before joining Airdrieonians in March 1989, playing in the successful Diamonds’ sides, under manager Alex MacDonald, which won promotion to the SPL and reached the 1992 Scottish Cup Final losing to Rangers and the 1995 final, losing to Celtic.

He also played in the only ever Airdrieonians side which played in European football, lining up in 1992 against Czech Republic giants Sparta Prague in the European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Lawrence also had spells with Hearts, Partick Thistle, Stenhousemuir, Cowdenbeath and Arbroath, finishing his playing career in 2004, before joining the Airdrie United backroom staff.

As a player he made more than 200 appearances during three spells for the Diamonds, scoring 52 goals.

[Lounge Lizard]

"one of Airdrieonians’ Scottish Cup heroes of the 1990’s"
'heroes' and no doubt of previous good character.

[airdriepostie100]

Alan was stealing birthday cards and recorded letters for years from ips.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Ex-football star Alan Lawrence admits postal theft
Alan Lawrence Alan Lawrence admitted stealing postal packets worth about £500

A former footballer who played in two Scottish Cup finals has been sentenced for theft while working as a postman.

Alan Lawrence, 51, admitted stealing postal packets and their contents, worth £500, from Airdrie Delivery Office between May 2011 and May 2012.

At the town's sheriff court he was told to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Lawrence played in two cup finals with Airdrie. He also had spells at Hearts, Dundee, Partick Thistle, Stenhousemuir, Cowdenbeath and Arbroath.

Airdrie Sheriff Court heard how Lawrence was caught after postal packets were tagged by investigators who had received anonymous information.

Some of the packets went missing and were traced to Lawrence's home in Airdrie. He later admitted the thefts when interviewed by police.

Lawyer Stephen McBride, representing Lawrence, said the former player had been "suffering from acute pressures and depression".

"At the time he was in a bad place with mental health difficulties and couldn't speak to anyone about them," he told the court.
'Sense of relief'

"It was a sense of relief that these offences came to light in order to get the matters off his chest.

"When it happened it was a breakthrough and an acknowledgement of his problems. He is still involved in a course of anti-depressants and has enjoyed the support of his employers, family and friends."

Mr McBride said Lawrence accepted "full responsibility" and asked that the matter be dealt with "in a non-custodial way".

Sentencing Lawrence, Sheriff Petra Collins told him: "Offences of this kind normally attract a custodial sentence, but I am persuaded marginally to allow you the chance to do a community payback order which will include supervision and to complete 100 hours of unpaid work within nine months.

"This is a direct alternative to custody."

[scoobydo79]

Lawrence,nicknamed "Nicker" during His Royal Mail days........