Theft postie facing prison

Ronald Barry Woodridge pleaded guilty to six charges of theft at Halesowen Magistrates Court.

The 56-year-old former Stourbridge delivery office post man was caught in the act when Royal Mail investigators were tipped off he was interfering with post.

The firm then set up CCTV and confronted Woodridge who has worked for the company for 24 years.

He was arrested by police officers who raided his Rufford Road home to uncover parcels containing a crystal Louis Vitton necklace, a pocket watch, ten coins, a package of eight watches and a parcel containing a medical AccuPen kit, estimated to cost a total of £2,500.

John Dove prosecuting on behalf of Royal Mail, told the court: "This is a theft problem by virtue of taking items which should have been delivered by his colleagues, this has brought suspicion on other postmen in the delivery office.

"Behaviour of this kind from a postman generally undermines public confidence in the post service as a whole."

But Michael Davies, defending, told the court Woodridge is a man of previous good character who has worked for Royal Mail for a considerable number of years.

He claimed Woodridge stole after suffering from depression following a life-threatening illness while holidaying in Goa, India which resulted in the loss of his two fingers on his right hand.

He said: "He has suffered a breakdown, it appears that was the trigger which led to the offending.

"None of these items were used for economic gain, it just appears to be part and parcel of his depression.

"It has caused him a great deal of heartache, he wishes he could turn the clock back and he had not magpie-like collected up the items."

But magistrates told Woodridge despite showing `genuine remorse' they felt his offences were too serious to be dealt with at the magistrates court because his crimes undermine public perception of the postal service.

Woodridge will now appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on October 10 for sentencing.