Parcel Force:Single mother fined over 2k after stealing parcels

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Single mother fined over £2,000 after stealing parcels at Deeside Industrial Estate

http://leaderlive.co.uk/news/154924/sin ... state.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A SINGLE mum-of-two who returned to work too early after treatment for cancer could not explain why she had stolen four parcels from her employer Parcel Force on the Deeside Industrial Estate.

Paula Lambert, 41, was told it was a serious breach of trust.

At Flintshire Magistrates Court at Mold, Lambert, of Bodnant Grove, Connah’s Quay, admitted stealing two iPhones and two laptops from Royal Mail Group Ltd between August 2014 and March 2015.

She was ordered to pay more than £2,000 in fines, costs, compensation and a victim surcharge.

Julian King, prosecuting, said concerns were raised by Parcel Force on Deeside about an increase in missing parcels and an investigation was set up by Royal Mail investigators.

On March 12 a parcel was received and it was seen to have been hidden behind other parcels and the CCTV showed it had been done by Lambert, who had worked for Parcel Force for 20 years until her resignation.

The stolen parcels were found when her home was searched.

Interviewed, she admitted what she did.

“A very high level of trust was placed in her. That trust was breached. It is a serious matter,” said Mr King.

Stephen Edwards, defending, said it was probably one of the saddest cases he had dealt with. Lambert had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cervical cancer, had a hysterectomy and intensive radium therapy for five weeks.

She had been advised in no uncertain terms not to return to work, but she had not missed a day in 20 years and against medical advice returned.

Mr Edwards said Lambert was normally cheerful and bubbly, but she became depressed and could not get herself back to normal.

She could not give any reason why she had done it. She had no intention of selling them or giving them as presents.

Of the four stolen items, valued in total at £1,400, three still remained in their packaging.