Postal worker who stole cash from birthday cards jailed

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.u.tv/News/2015/08/24/Postal- ... iled-43616" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Belfast Magistrates' Court heard Darren Johnston targeted birthday cards containing money during a 14-month campaign of opening packages due for delivery.

The 29-year-old, of Gleneagles in Cloughmills, Co Antrim, was told the scale of his breach of public trust warranted immediate imprisonment.

However, District Judge Amanda Henderson granted bail pending the outcome of an appeal against the jail term she imposed.

Johnston was convicted of stealing a total of £1,280 in cash on dates between July 2013 and September 2014.

He also took two DVDs and a bank card from other parcels.

As well as the thefts he was sentenced for six counts of interfering with mail.

Johnston has since lost his job as a Royal Mail postal operator.

As he appeared in court for sentencing on Monday, a defence barrister acknowledged the gravity of the offences.

Lawyer Michael Ward said: "For those members of the public deprived of this money it was a disgrace."

Johnston had come under financial pressure to support his family while his partner was off work, the court heard.

According to Mr Ward the defendant's £300 a week salary became "stretched" as he struggled with debts.

"What he did thereafter was foolish, stupid and selfish," the lawyer accepted.

“He has made himself practically unemployable, and it's going to be a difficult road back.”

Michael Ward, lawyer

"A remorseful Johnston wants to try to repay those he stole from, Mr Ward added.

But Mrs Henderson emphasised how the thieving went on for more than a year.

She told the defendant: "You were working for the Post Office, routinely opening mail and targeting mail you thought contained money for gifts.

"I view this as a most serious breach of trust."

The judge also pointed out: "Nobody knows the financial means of the persons who were stolen from."

Despite Johnston's guilty plea and previously clear record, she ordered him to serve six months in prison.

With Johnston's legal team confirming their intention to appeal the sentence, he was later released from custody on £500 bail.

[Sir Henry]

With Johnston's legal team confirming their intention to appeal the sentence, he was later released from custody on £500 bail

...which he promptly paid in postal orders and M&S vouchers.

[Judgee]

With Johnston's legal team confirming their intention to appeal the sentence, he was later released from custody on £500 bail

...which he promptly paid in postal orders and M&S vouchers.

[pants123]

What a complete idiot.....

He has lost everything, no one will employ him now, criminal record, no shares...

Should have just got a second job, or a loan, then cashed in his shares next year pay it back.....

Some folk are just completely thick....

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Ex-postman wins appeal against jail sentence after stealing money from mail http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... 20004.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A postman who stole nearly £1,300 in cash gifts sent by mail has won his appeal against being sent to jail.

Darren Johnston was originally ordered to serve six months behind bars for opening packages to seek out birthday cards containing money.

But a judge at Belfast County Court today decided to suspend the prison term for three years after being told of Johnston's previous clear record.

With the 29-year-old since sacked by Royal Mail, a defence lawyer also predicted his future job prospects to be bleak.

Johnston, of Gleneagles in Cloughmills, Co Antrim, admitted stealing a total of £1,280 in cash between July 2013 and September 2014.

He also took two DVDs and a bank card from other parcels.

As well as the thefts he was convicted of six counts of interfering with mail.

According to his legal team he began stealing birthday cards after coming under financial pressure to support his family while his partner was off work.

His £300 a week salary became "stretched" as he struggled with debts.

Appealing the sentence of immediate imprisonment imposed last month, defence counsel Michael Ward argued that it would cause hardship for Johnston's partner and young child.

Mr Ward claimed his client has made himself almost unemployable by his actions.

A number of character references were also handed into court on behalf of the defendant.

Although Judge Geoffrey Millar QC emphasised the seriousness of the offences, he decided there were enough exceptional circumstances to allow the appeal.

On that basis he substituted the original jail term for a sentence of six months in prison, suspended for three years.