Gateshead sorting office worker stole money and scratchcards from Christmas cards, court hears

A postal worker stole money, vouchers and scratchcards from Christmas cards at a Gateshead sorting office during the Royal Mail’s busiest month of the year, a court heard.

Keith Miller helped himself to postal packets over the “Christmas pressure period” in December 2019.

The Newcastle grandad targeted festive greetings cards before tampering with the envelopes and taking cash which was “usually” intended for a grandchild, South East Northumberland Magistrates Court heard.

The thefts came to light when another employee found a pile of damaged envelopes while emptying the bins.

Miller, 63, has now avoided an immediate jail term, although magistrates said he had committed a “serious breach of trust” which would cause a “loss of confidence in the Royal Mail”.

He had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of theft. The first charge related to the theft of 73 postal packets containing greetings cards, tablet computers, gift vouchers and money to the value of £543.

The second charge related to the theft of 12 postal packets containing greetings cards and scratch cards, to the value of £20.

The court heard Miller was a weekend employee at the Tyneside Mail Centre, and had worked for the Royal Mail for seven years at the time of the offences.

Neil Jones, prosecuting for the Royal Mail, said an employee was emptying the bins at the Team Valley Trading Estate when he saw “more than 10” coloured envelopes with cards inside.

He took the damaged post to a manager and Miller was put under observation and was found to be “mistreating mail”.

Mr Jones said: “He was effectively concentrating on greeting card mail, most of which contained cards and, on occasions, a quantity of value material – in some cases scratch cards or a small amount of cash, usually for a grandchild.”

He told the court, “This was a matter of some sentimental loss to the relatives concerned – grandkids who might not get their card.

“That causes a degree of grief and lack of confidence and trust in the postal service.”

He added: “It isn’t really about money.”

The court heard Miller “accepted what he had been doing” and cooperated with the investigation.

Mr Jones said Miller was unable to say why he had been stealing the mail and that there was “no rhyme or reason” for the crime.

Amy Lamb, defending, said: “This defendant is devastated by his own actions and genuinely remorseful.

“He resigned immediately and simply can’t explain why he committed the offences. What was taken was of no great value to him. Some of it has been recovered.

“He does understand the effect of his actions, namely the sentimental value, and is very genuinely sorry for what he’s done.”

Magistrates sentenced Miller, of Denton Road, Newcastle, to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. They ordered him to pay £165 compensation, a £122 victim surcharge and £5,190.75 costs to Royal Mail.