Royal Mail brings fraud dad to book

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/royal-m ... -1-4524761" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A father of four is today starting a two year jail term after committing a £38,000 fraud against Royal Mail.

Book seller John Robinson, 57, of Fulwood Hall Lane, Preston, used a combination of fake postage labels and a franking machine to send thousands of his parcels fraudulently and postage free after selling to customers via various websites and eBay.

Robinson swaggered into the dock at Preston Crown Court and shrugged at his wife and children before smiling.

The operation, described as “sophisticated” by Judge Heather Lloyd, defrauded Royal Mail by at least £38,000 and involved at least 10,000 parcels being sent without postage being paid.

The deception took place over a number of years using different websites and different methods to print the postage labels, the court heard.

Prosecuting, Geoff Lowe said the offences had taken place from 2002 to 2009.

He added: “He operated by creating a Smart Stamp operation and using a false franking machine.

“Smart Stamp enables Royal Mail customers to create their own postage labels and payment is made via credit card.

“He downloaded the programme but created fake labels.”

Investigators at the Royal Mail were called in and wrote to several people who were receiving parcels - some of whom ended up having to foot the cost of the postage themselves in order to receive the goods they had bought.

Defending Laura Hackett said: “The offences took place over a significant period of time when he ran a small business.”

The solicitor urged the judge to consider his family and health problems and said he was “deeply ashamed” of his actions.

Robinson, who pleaded guilty to obtaining services dishonestly and false representation, was supposed to be sentenced in February but did not attend. He was arrested boarding a flight at Manchester Airport - for which he is serving a six week sentence.

His pregnant daughter sobbed as he was jailed for an additional 24 months.

[Lounge Lizard]

"The solicitor urged the judge to consider his family and health problems and said he was “deeply ashamed” of his actions."

[R@YAL F@IL]

"Packet of lies" ........