A POSTMAN pocketed between £30 and £40 a week by stealing birthday card letters on his round, Wirral magistrates heard.

Steve John Firkins, aged 31, of Barnston Road, Barnston, who had been a postman for 10 years, admitted four offences of theft of packets at Heswall and had another five similar matters considered.

Firkins claimed under questioning he had been stealing for six to eight weeks and targeted birthday mail because there was a good chance it would contain cash.

A total of 35 packets were recovered from his home and he said he had been hard up, said prosecutor Amanda Fitzgerald.

She told how test packets were introduced to the mail at Heswall after reports of non receipt of birthday letters. Firkins diverted two of the packets to his pile although they were not on his delivery round.

Quentin Neale, defending, said one wondered why Firkins had put himself in such a position for £200. But he was under financial pressure and gave into temptation.

"He is ashamed of what he has done and deeply worried," said the defence advocate who said the matters were totally out of character.

He said Firkins appreciated he was in jeopardy because of the seriousness of the offences.

The magistrates said jail had been considered. But Firkins, who was dismissed from his job and had found other work, was ordered to serve 200 hours' community work and had to pay a total of £47 compensation and £397.76 investigation and prosecution costs.

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