Pilfering postie’s community no-show

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2042 ... ity_noshow

A pilfering postie made to carry out community work has been punished for breaching the order.

Jason Hopkins, 22, of Abbey Gardens in Upper Woolhampton, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Monday having failed to turn up for community work on Friday, August 29.

Young dad Hopkins, who had been in serious debt, pocketed mail including cash, greetings cards and jewellery over a two-week period in January and February this year while working at the West Reading sort office in Loverock Road.

Royal Mail bosses launched an investigation after Hopkins was suspected of stealing post.

A raid at his home found 80 mail items, nine of which had been opened, including a pearl necklace and a medical card.

In May this year Hopkins admitted two charges of stealing postal packages belonging to the Royal Mail incorporating a breach of trust.

Magistrates sentenced him to three months for each offence suspended for two years and 200 hours community work.

But, appearing before magistrates again on Monday, Hopkins admitted breaching the order and said he had not been able to carry out work on one of the days in question because his daughter was ill.

Martin Jackson, defending, said Hopkins had now found work following the postal theft conviction.

He said: “As a postal worker, he wasn’t particularly employable having regard to the nature of his offence.”

Hopkins was given an extra 20 hours of unpaid work, as well as ordered to pay £50 in costs.