Judge in jail threat to ex-Royal Mail worker who admitted stealing parcels

A FORMER Royal Mail worker has pleaded guilty to stealing parcels and warned he could be sent to jail.

John Francis Woodhouse (42), of Bellisk Drive, Cushendall, Co Antrim, appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court yesterday and admitted one charge of theft of mail in transmission.

The charge states that, on unknown dates between June 10, 2016 and August 8, 2017, at the Royal Mail Ballymena Delivery Office, he stole postal packets in the course of transmission.

Defence barrister Neil Moore said his client was “formerly employed by Royal Mail” and added: “It is a situation where he ac-

Guilty: Woodhouse outside court

cepted at the first interview that he had taken quite a number of parcels”.

Mr Moore said “breach of trust” case.

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The barrister said he was aware of the views of courts in similar matters.

Mr Moore said Woodhouse is currently working in a new job but said the conviction may lead to that employment coming to an end too.

The full background to the case has yet to be explained to the court.

A prosecutor said they were seeking £410.29 compensation in the matter, including £150 for a “tracking device”.

Adjourning the case until February, District Judge Peter King told the defendant he could give no guarantees as to what the outcome would be.

The judge added: “A breach of trust case of this nature puts your liberty at serious risk”.