Devizes man driven to theft (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Devizes man driven to theft

8:00pm Saturday 11th February 2012 in Local By Lewis Cowen

Postman Kevin Foster told a court he stole items of mail in a desperate attempt to escape the debt he had fallen into.

Foster, 25, of Longcroft Avenue, Devizes, who, until his arrest was also a retained firefighter in Devizes, admitted stealing 14 packets belonging to Royal Mail when he appeared before magistrates in Salisbury on Tuesday.

Bob Booker, prosecuting, said in September last year a member of the public reported finding a number of postmarked envelopes in a ditch in Erlestoke. As the area was on Foster’s delivery round, Royal Mail investigator David Lynch carried out a tested surveillance of Foster, which included five envelopes containing a £10 note and a mis-sorted item containing a tracking device.

He said Foster failed to deliver the mis-sorted item and was interviewed. He agreed to a search of his home but not a personal search, so the police were called in.

Mr Booker said: “Nine open postal packets were found on his person and four of the £10 notes. A search of his premises found more postal packets.”

Foster admitted spending the fifth £10 note on cigarettes, drinks and a birthday present for his daughter. He offered to pay it back.

One of the items stolen was a birthday card to a four-year-old child. Mr Booker said: “Mr Foster was asked how he would feel if it was one of his children and, to do him credit, he was full of remorse.”

Paul Jones, defending, said Foster had been tempted into theft because of the problems he and his partner had with debt. He said they had three children and his partner was heavily pregnant with a fourth.

Mr Jones said: “Because she was having such problems with the pregnancy she had been laid off work. They were already in financial difficulties, paying £300 a month to a debt recovery service.

“He opened a small number of packages and didn’t gain anything until the sting operation.

“This was not a sophisticated crime. He doesn’t live an extravagant lifestyle or have a drug habit.”

He said Foster lost his job as a postman and as a retained firefighter. He is now working as a warehouseman.

The case was adjourned for sentence until March 7.