Felixstowe: Postal worker cleared of theft

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/felix ... _1_3776192" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A postal worker accused of stealing £20 from a postal package after Royal Mail investigators set a trap at a Suffolk sorting office has been cleared of theft.


The bank notes, which had been placed in a test package, were allegedly found in a bag belonging to Timothy Flynn who worked at the Felixstowe delivery office, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

When Flynn was questioned about the money found in his bag he said he didn’t know how the notes got there and denied stealing them.

During the trial, which started earlier this week, the court heard that three test packages in the form of greeting cards were placed into post due to be sorted by Flynn on June 26.

Cash was put into each of the cards and a record was kept of the serial numbers on the bank notes.

Two of the cards were dealt with in the correct manner but one of the cards in a pink envelope allegedly disappeared and then reappeared in an area for damaged post.

When it was checked the card was still in the envelope but a £10 note and two £5 notes that had been inside it were missing.

When investigators spoke to Flynn and searched his belongings to him they allegedly found the missing bank notes in his bag.

Flynn, 57, of Chester Road, Felixstowe has denied stealing the £20 contents of a postal package belonging to Royal Mail on June 26 last year and was found not guilty.

[dvbuk55]

Allegedly found in his bag? I would have thought they either did or didn't, so which is it? I presume he wasn't sacked because he was found not guilty BUT it may be that his manager has lost confidence in him being competent to do the job.

[IloveMYredTROLLEY!]

Food for thought, did the "entrapment" go too far, as in were the notes planted in his bag to try and get a dismissal?

[manboss]

I would presume now, the postal worker could sue RM? stress and its probably ruined his career with business.

[aiden01]

I would presume now, the postal worker could sue RM? stress and its probably ruined his career with business.

he,d be mad not to

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Allegedly found in his bag? I would have thought they either did or didn't, so which is it?

Its probably down to continuity of evidence. If they didn't follow the procedure correctly and the defence barrister was good enough to pick holes in it, there is a possible defence of the evidence being planted by an unknown person or persons. Or as RedTrolley suggests the entrapment was not legal.

[dvbuk55]

You'd have to ask the question what led to the dismissal of the charge when 2 members of the IB had set up the sting: you'd have to assume the case they presented was seriously flawed, but how? And are they still in the IB or even with RM.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

You'd have to ask the question what led to the dismissal of the charge when 2 members of the IB had set up the sting: you'd have to assume the case they presented was seriously flawed, but how? And are they still in the IB or even with RM.

Why the police lose cases regularly and its very unusual that any are sacked or dismissed because of it.

[Spedley]

The whole thing was a bit of a farce by the sound of it. Two cards prove he wasn't interfering with the post and one card 'reappeared' by some unknown means to the damaged post area. The money then 'allegedly' appeared within his possessions.

Assuming they were keeping a very close eye on him and probably recording his actions it kind of proves it wasn't him that did it otherwise they would have seen it.

[dvbuk55]

The whole thing was a bit of a farce by the sound of it. Two cards prove he wasn't interfering with the post and one card 'reappeared' by some unknown means to the damaged post area. The money then 'allegedly' appeared within his possessions.

Assuming they were keeping a very close eye on him and probably recording his actions it kind of proves it wasn't him that did it otherwise they would have seen it.

The odd thing is the IB don't pick people at random he was obviously under surveillance in order for the sting to take place. Once allegedly caught there is normally a house/car search to see if other items turn up, that doesn't appear the case in this instance.

[DB1100]

I wonder if we will find out the facts about this case,or will it be allowed to fade away,also could any previous case by the I.B people involved be brought into question.