Jail let-off for postie who stole kids’ birthday cash
A HEARTLESS postman who opened children's birthday cards and took their cash has escaped a jail term.
Former Army reservist Jordan Craig, 30, targeted letters addressed to youngsters because he knew there was a good chance they would contain money.
He held back envelopes with “Master” or “Miss” on them while working for the Royal Mail in Norwich between January 2016 and March last year.
But he was caught redhanded when suspicious bosses put “test packages” on his round. A search of his locker revealed 83 opened letters or parcels.
Craig, of Norwich, admitted four counts of theft and one of opening mail when he appeared at the city's magistrates court.
Gwen Williamson, prosecuting, said he was guilty of a huge breach of trust.
She added: “If the letters he opened did not contain cash and were in a reasonable condition, he would deliver them.
“If the envelopes were damaged, he'd destroy them or put them in his locker.”
She said now jobless Craig had offered to pay back legal costs from his pension pot of £16,331.
Craig, who defended himself in court, admitted he had tried to “bury his head in the sand” about his severe financial problems.
He said he was trying to support his troubled partner, who has mental health issues. He told the court: “I should never have done what I did.
“I now know there is help out there. I am turning to debt charities to help me control my finances and pay back what I owe.”
Handing Craig an 18-week jail sentence suspended for 18 months, magistrate Paul Rosier told him: “Those children will never know what they should have received.”
Craig was ordered to pay £5,000 from his pension and do 120 hours of unpaid work. Postman Jordan Craig opened cards addressed to Master or Miss as there was a good chance they’d contain birthday money