A postal worker from Clacton has been jailed after a gang stole more than £20,000 in cheques from the Royal Mail.

Bobby Gould, 33, of Dahlia Close, Clacton, received a two-and-a-half-year sentence at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday after he admitted eight counts of stealing mail.

He was part of a gang of four men who admitting a range of offences relating to the theft of company cheques from Colchester sorting office.

Police from the Essex Crime Squad arrested three men from Clacton and one from Saffron Walden after the thefts which started in October 2002.

Fourteen company cheques were stolen on their way to companies in north Essex.

There were no obvious signs of tampering and none of the companies were initially aware of the thefts.

Five cheques were deposited in accounts and a total of £22,354 was successfully drawn on them.

Peter Garrett, 39, of Hilltop Crescent, Weeley, was sentenced to one year in prison after admitting forgery, handling stolen goods and obtaining a money transfer by deception.

Kevin Sargeant, 32, of Penzance Close, Clacton, was jailed for six months after admitting seven charges of forgery.

And Guy Gayle, 33, of Bradgate Farm, Saffron Walden, received a 200-hour community service order after admitting two counts of forgery.

A police spokesman said: "The thefts and subsequent fraud netted more than £20,000 for the gang.

"Behind them the fact that one was a postal worker who has committed such a horrendous breach of trust makes it even more disgusting.

"We are delighted that these offenders were brought to justice.

"The swift action of Royal Mail and the assistance offered by the organisation has been the key in successfully prosecuting these individuals.

Published Tuesday, September 14, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette