A POSTAL worker at Colchester’s sorting office stole Christmas presents from parcels, a court heard.

Paul Walker, of Jaywick Lane, Clacton, opened about 16 packages while working as a temp in the pre-Christmas period.

Walker, 21 appeared before Colchester Magistrates’ Court and admitted two charges of theft.

The court heard Walker was employed to sort mail in a temporary building used to handle extra post in the run-up to Christmas.

A fellow employee reported him to bosses when they notice his “suspicious behaviour”.

Barnaby Hone, prosecuting, said: “He was looking around a lot and acting strangely.

“The defendant was approached by Royal Mail investigators, who advised him he was suspected of opening postal packages and stealing from them.”

Walker was searched by Royal Mail officials, who discovered four Marks & Spencer gift cards and five parcels on him or in his work space.

When they searched his car, they found a mobile phone he had stolen from another package.

The court heard Walker had started stealing because he was short of money. He admitted spending £14 on one of the gift cards to buy a toy car for his nephew.

Originally, Royal Mail had applied for £1,066 to cover prosecution costs, but Walker’s solicitor, Peter O’Toole, argued this would be disproportionate to the amount stolen.

Mr O’Toole explained: “Almost all the goods were recovered, save for £14 spent on a gift card.

“He held up his hands and apologised when questioned by investigators and showed immediate remorse.

“He feels utterly ashamed and embarrassed about his conduct.”

Angela Grayston, chairman of the bench, ordered Walker to pay £250 towards the prosecution’s costs and £15 compensation.

He was also ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid community work.

Mrs Grayston told him: “We are taking in to account the fact you admitted what you had done at an early stage.

“It is very probable you would have gone to prison had you not done so.”