Postman who stole cash from cards was down to one meal a day

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Postman who stole cash from cards was down to one meal a day and struggling to support family

http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/11 ... rt_family/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A postman who was down to eating one meal a day because of the financial crisis his family was going through stole birthday cards and other greeting cards containing money to pay for food and heating.

Benjamin David Williams, aged 37, of Treskewes Estate, St Keverne, pleaded guilty to three offences of theft from Royal Mail involving stealing packets containing money, and 322 other commercial communications which he dumped.

Nicholas Bradley, prosecuting for Royal Mail, said Williams had been a postman for nearly eight years. He had been suffering from financial problems and was the only breadwinner in the house. His wife was suffering from depression and his daughter had cerebral palsy.

He stole postal packets, particularly those he knew were likely to have cash in them, and this had been going on since September last year.

He was eventually caught when the Royal Mail set two test packages and he stole one of them containing £15.

He told his employers he had taken money to buy food because things were difficult. He was only getting one meal a day and had been hungry when he stole.

Mr Bradley told the magistrates: “Investigators found the circumstances in which Williams’ family were living were particularly poor and they could not remember attending a home where things were looking quite so bad.”

When Williams was suspended from work on pay he resigned after four days saying he could not bring himself to accept pay knowing what he had done.

“People who lost money never knew…” said Mr Bradley, saying that the cost of the investigation was over £3,000.

Williams, who had no previous convictions, told the magistrates: “My back was against the wall. I did not do this for a lifestyle but spent money on heating oil for warmth and food for the family. I was working from 3am to 6pm but it was not enough and I was lucky to have one meal a day.”

He said he was now working as a baker and picking daffodils to improve things financially.

Williams was told to do 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £60 victim surcharge. There were no prosecution costs asked for due to his lack of means.

[El-Bandito]

Another scumbag getting off easy. I know a lot of people who have been affected by the condem policies, they do not go out and steal. This thief is a disgrace to ALL of RM honest working posties. You really have to look, also at RM policy of being a family friendly company. Surely they should have done more to help. This is still no excuse for this thief, there's 1000s of posties bursting their balls every day. And that's just to exist.

[borgpicard]

I am surprised people still put money in cards ??

[Lounge Lizard]

I am surprised people still put money in cards ??

A tradition going back a long time, easy for the sender and lovely for the recipient.
It's just very sad that a tiny proportion of employees puts that tenner at risk.

[Van Driver]

Another scumbag getting off easy. I know a lot of people who have been affected by the condem policies, they do not go out and steal. This thief is a disgrace to ALL of RM honest working posties. You really have to look, also at RM policy of being a family friendly company. Surely they should have done more to help. This is still no excuse for this thief, there's 1000s of posties bursting their balls every day. And that's just to exist.

Ok I agree he was out of order but if what we here is true and family illness is true then I think callin him a scumbag is out of order