Skipton postman guilty of theft

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/1115 ... ?ref=var_0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A postman guilty of a major breach of trust when he stole parcels destined for members of the public has been sent to crown court for sentencing.

Stephen Tempest, 30, ripped open packages while working at the Skipton Delivery Office looking for items of clothing in his size, Skipton magistrates heard.

He was finally stopped when he tried to exchange a pair of £40 jogging trousers at Just Jeans in Skipton.

The owner recognised the trousers as he had sold them on the internet and alerted the Royal Mail.

Michael O’Garra, prosecuting for the Royal Mail, said a search of Tempest’s home uncovered 22 items of clothing and computer games, including the popular Call of Duty.

The investigators also found ten clothing tags in his waste bin.

Mr O’Garra said the total value of items recovered was around £700, but it was difficult to ascertain the full amount.

“This was a breach of trust over a substantial period. There is evidence that it was going on for some time and regularly and for a relatively large value,” he said.

Tempest, who the court heard had no previous convictions, had been a postman for more than 11 years since leaving school.

He admitted the theft of 21 packets belonging to Royal Mail between November 20, 2012, and November 22, 2012, and also to the theft of a pair of £40 jogging trousers between November 10, 2013, and November 21, 2013.

He was a single man, with no dependents or debts, and could not explain why he had taken to stealing, the court was told.

Paul Fitzpatrick, in mitigation, said all the clothing had been in his size and were for his own use.

“He would break open packets at the sorting office and if the clothing was in his size, he would consider taking it,” he said.


Mr Fitzpatrick said Tempest fully appreciated he had broken a special trust expected of Royal Mail employees and the level of seriousness.

Magistrates told Tempest, of Cleveland Street, Colne, that he had breached a trust that the public had come to rely on.

He was sent to Bradford Crown Court for sentencing on May 9.

[datasaint]

What? How does one brazenly open packets in the sorting office without drawing any attention. He must be a total numpty to go to those lengths to steal clothes.

[Darren Bent]

It is no good stealing at work as you will get caught especially serial offender.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

East Lancs postman jailed for stealing parcels

http://www.burnleycitizen.co.uk/news/11 ... s/?ref=rss" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A POSTMAN from Colne has been given a suspended prison sentence after stealing £700 worth of parcels from the general public.

Stephen Tempest was jailed for four months, suspended for 12 months, after admitting to the theft of 21 postal packages, belonging to the Royal Mail, and for theft of a pair of jogging bottoms, worth £40.

He was also given a two-month curfew, ordered to pay £1,000 to the Royal Mail and carry out 150 hours community service.

Royal Mail confirmed he has been dismissed.

The 30-year-old’s haul of stolen goods included 22 items of clothing, inclu-ding a light blue jacket worth more than £160, and two PlayStation computer games.

Tempest ripped open packages while working at Skipton Delivery Office, searching for items of clothing in his size, Bradford Crown Court was told.

His stealing spree was stopped when he tried to exchange a pair of jogging bottoms at Just Jeans in Skipton. But the shop owner recognised the trousers as being ones the shop had sold online and alerted the Royal Mail.

Tempest, of Cleveland Street, who had no previous convictions, worked as a postman for 11-and-a-half years, the court heard. He told a previous hearing at Skipton Magistrates’ Court that he could not explain why he stole.

Passing sentence, Judge John Potter told Tempest: “You have come close to going into custody immediately. Your offences cause the loss of confidence in the postal service by the public.”

[RedBagMan]

Paul Fitzpatrick, in mitigation, said all the clothing had been in his size and were for his own use.

Well there's one to remember ...