Home
Site Map
Search Advanced Search
Today's most viewed
Thieving postman jailed
Stuart Crayford
Stuart Crayford

A postman has been jailed after being caught sifting through sacks of mail and stealing cash from birthday and Christmas cards.

Magistrates told Stuart Crayford, 38, of Winchester Way, Wantage, he was guilty of a serious breach of trust.

Crayford admitted stealing between £400 to £500 from greetings cards. Burned envelopes were found at his home.

Didcot Magistrates' Court heard that he was caught after a Royal Mail 'sting' operation earlier this year.

Crayford admitted three counts of theft - including 95 greetings cards - and one count of intending to delay 3,503 postal items.

He was sentenced to a total of eight months in prison.

Jailing him, magistrates' chairman Jane Moreton said: "The fact was that the greetings cards were mainly going to children, which we feel made it a very unpleasant crime."

Speaking after the case today, Royal Mail spokesman Tom Prendergast stressed that the vast majority of postal workers were honest and hardworking.

He added "We have a zero tolerance approach to any dishonesty, and that stance is shared by the overwhelming majority of postmen and women, who do all they can to protect the mail and deliver it safely.

"We will always seek to prosecute the tiny minority of people who abuse their position of trust.

"Royal Mail customers should be confident in our services and systems, but where we are alerted to problems, either through our own stringent checks or from information supplied by our customers, we take decisive action to investigate."

All the incidents happened while the married father-of-three worked at Wantage delivery office, in Church Street, between March 2007 and April 2008.

Emma Thacker, prosecuting, told the court because Crayford never stole postal packets from his own round, 10 colleagues were put under suspicion for missing mail.

He was caught after six packages, some containing £5 notes and DVDs, were put in bundles he dealt with - but were never delivered.

Ms Thacker said when Royal Mail investigators searched Crayford's home, carrier bags full of postal items were found hidden in his garage, shed and downstairs toilet. Four of the specially-placed packages were also found in his vehicle.

Opened packets were found in his recycling bin and burned remains of undelivered post were discovered strewn in a flower bed.

A ruby solitaire ring, worth £194, was also found.

Ms Thacker said: "There were clearly a lot of postal packages and a lot of the packages were cards, children's cards, which were specifically targeted as they were likely to contain money."

Kate MacNab, defending, said Crayford was in financial difficulties and had let temptation get the better of him.

One Wantage resident who was affected by Crayford's dishonesty criticised the sentence.

Widower Ray Reynolds, 77, was frequently forced to ask solicitors to resend mail to his Springfield Road house because it went missing - adding to his bill for legal services.

He said: "He used to say: 'Having trouble with your post?' when it was him doing it all the time.

"His sentence isn't enough."

5:46pm Tuesday 19th August 2008

Print   Email this   Comment
Posted by: DIDCOTER on 7:13pm Tue 19 Aug 08
well he will be in the mail room now be getting his own post
Posted by: conkertoes, deadcat on 7:52pm Tue 19 Aug 08
whats going to happen to jess?i reckon he stole the cards for jess's cat nip habbit.
Posted by: Zimmer, Oxon on 8:08pm Tue 19 Aug 08
I reckon 'old jobsworth' at the Cowley Sorting office will have all his cronies out in support of a down trodden 'brother'.
Posted by: Goodness!, Oxford on 10:37pm Tue 19 Aug 08
"All the incidents happened while the married father-of-three worked .. between March 2007 and April 2008."

Ms Thacker said when Royal Mail investigators searched Crayford's home, carrier bags full of postal items were found hidden in his garage, shed and downstairs toilet. Four of the specially-placed packages were also found in his vehicle.

Opened packets were found in his recycling bin and burned remains of undelivered post were discovered strewn in a flower bed.


Was wifey at home? Didn't she notice anything? Not even "You thin lipped, weasel-eyed thief, it's been over a year now, how much more stolen post can this family live with?"
Posted by: Anon on 8:19am Wed 20 Aug 08
I think you should leave him and his family alone. I am sure have all been through enough. There are people out there who have done a lot worse and are walking the streets and this man was desperate and now he has been taken away from the people he loves, where the justice in that !!!!
Posted by: Helen, Oxford on 8:37am Wed 20 Aug 08
There are people out there who have done a lot worse and are walking the streets and this man was desperate and now he has been taken away from the people he loves, where the justice in that
Stealing money from children is pretty low in my book. Do you really think all those Grans sending their grandchildren a tenner have money to burn? Just because other people are criminals too doesn't mean he should be let off.
Posted by: Ex-postal worker, Oxford on 8:37am Wed 20 Aug 08
This guy is scum like so many of the 'old school' working at Royal Mail. Guys, don't think he is the only one. So many are at it but feel untouchable with their Union lead by the lazy Lenin-wannabe life failure called Bob Cullen. I advise you to send anything important by recorded delivery or special delivery. The posties can't mess with those witout consequence.
Posted by: AAaarrgghh! Save Me From These Thickos, Oxford on 8:47am Wed 20 Aug 08
Anon wrote:
I think you should leave him and his family alone. I am sure have all been through enough. There are people out there who have done a lot worse and are walking the streets and this man was desperate and now he has been taken away from the people he loves, where the justice in that !!!!
He was desperate! Here I've been trying to figure the best way to fit a serious operation and 6 month recovery period into my life, with the logistical nightmare of childcare, finances, house maintenance, house work, grocery shopping - etc. etc. STUPID ME! Should just become a criminal to fund the whole thing.
Posted by: Bogota Bob, Cook Islands on 9:50am Wed 20 Aug 08
Anon wrote:
I think you should leave him and his family alone. I am sure have all been through enough. There are people out there who have done a lot worse and are walking the streets and this man was desperate and now he has been taken away from the people he loves, where the justice in that !!!!
The justice is there for all the families like his own that this greedy theif stole from. Stealing money from peoples Christmas cards is as brave and heroic as mugging grannies with violence.

The scumbag got what he deserved.
Posted by: Justice, Oxford on 9:51am Wed 20 Aug 08
Anon wrote:
I think you should leave him and his family alone. I am sure have all been through enough. There are people out there who have done a lot worse and are walking the streets and this man was desperate and now he has been taken away from the people he loves, where the justice in that !!!!
I'm moved to tears by your comments. This poor
soul got a prison sentence for stealing other peoples money and other items. We'll have a whip round at my place of work for him.
Excuse me ANON but are you on extra strong medication or something? The bloke's a theif for christ's sake. He got what he deserved. If anybody is to be pitied, it's the kids who never got their birthday/christmas money, it's them I feel sorry for.
Posted by: billyb8, cambridge on 9:59am Wed 20 Aug 08
his sentence should reflect that he tried to frame his colleagues for his crime and put the whole office under suspicion.
Posted by: TJ, Oxford on 11:23am Wed 20 Aug 08
Well done to the Royal Mail Internal Investigations unit for actually going out and catching him, without their actions he would have still been at it and getting the finger of blame pointed at his colleagues, what low-life scum.
Posted by: abster, abingdon on 12:39pm Wed 20 Aug 08
Disgrace!! Nothing more to say really!!
Posted by: G, woxon on 12:55pm Wed 20 Aug 08
I advise you to send anything important by recorded delivery or special delivery.


Why? It makes no difference - I've has recorded items disappear into the ether just like the normal post (Recorded=1st class with a signature - and even "Special" Delivery is a complete misnomer). The Royal Mail claims process is rubbish - all you land up with is a book of 12 first class as compensation.
Posted by: Tristan, Plymouth on 4:43pm Wed 20 Aug 08
These comments are despicable. A journalist has a right to publish an article on a story (however bent the truth may be) however I think this comment section is not required. It seems to be a place where we can all 'legally' verbally abuse both the postman and his family and I don't think it should be tolerated.
Posted by: Tristan, Plymouth on 4:46pm Wed 20 Aug 08
Further to my previous comment I wish to know why my previous comment from this morning has been removed as I have checked but it doesn't seem to be in violation of your terms of use, only that it was a contradicting view to the majority.
Posted by: bob, Wantage on 5:59pm Wed 20 Aug 08
Well... all I have to say on the subject is that a friend sent me a christmas card from Amsterdam with a little gift inside.

Never arrived!!!

I am not saying he had that, but, if he did, I hope he remembers how sweet the smell as he wakes up inside every day of the 8 month sentance and it was worth it!
Posted by: Helen, oxford on 6:24pm Wed 20 Aug 08
Tristan - are you suggesting that you have reason to believe that Mr Crayford is innocent? Or that you disagree with the majority opinion that stealing children's Christmas money is a despicable act worthy of a custodial sentence?
Posted by: TOWNIE on 9:38pm Wed 20 Aug 08
Anon wrote:
I think you should leave him and his family alone. I am sure have all been through enough. There are people out there who have done a lot worse and are walking the streets and this man was desperate and now he has been taken away from the people he loves, where the justice in that !!!!
that may be true but what do you expect he stole other people's goods i'v lost goods in the post cause of people like him are scum
Posted by: JNL on 12:05am Thu 21 Aug 08
Perhaps 'Anon' is Stuart Crayford.
Posted by: Wantage resident, Wantage on 12:31am Thu 21 Aug 08
"Further to my previous comment I wish to know why my previous comment from this morning has been removed as I have checked but it doesn't seem to be in violation of your terms of use, only that it was a contradicting view to the majority".

This bit is for people to give their views on what's been reported. You may be related to him but you are not local and would not have had any of your post stolen. Wantage is a small town and to have a Postie who we all regard to be part of the community stealing our childrens Xmas/Birthday cards just in case they had money in makes me feel sick.

Just because you are a relative does not give you the right to have the last word on this, those of us who are also struggling and have had our childrens Xmas money stolen deserve that right.
Posted by: DEZ, bicester on 2:04am Thu 21 Aug 08
at xmas i got my 8 year old a tv that after 2 weeks went wrong so i sent it back , guess what it never made it back to the shop , and the mail people where as much help as s--t on pants ,
i think they gave us somethink like £14 back for a £160 tv , it went missing when the mail had it so why did they not look in to it more . thanks royal mail for giving my little girl a good xmas NOT
Posted by: PC 'Green' on 8:33am Thu 21 Aug 08
bob wrote:
Well... all I have to say on the subject is that a friend sent me a christmas card from Amsterdam with a little gift inside. Never arrived!!! I am not saying he had that, but, if he did, I hope he remembers how sweet the smell as he wakes up inside every day of the 8 month sentance and it was worth it!
Well, sending 'gifts' from Amsterdam is always going to be hit and miss. Flights are cheap, best go yourself.
Posted by: Richard, Oxford on 2:05pm Thu 21 Aug 08
Are you all demented?
Given the wording of the Oxford Mail ad outside newsagents ("Postman jailed for stealing mail"), then
surely there is only 1 appropriate comment for this item: all together now:

"Postman jailed
Postman jailed
Postman jailed for stealing mail
Early in the morning
Just as day is dawning
he picks up all the letters in his van then takes them home goes through them all takes out all the money and other items of interest then buries the rest in his back garden but gets tracked down in the end and given 8 months..."
I know the last bit doesn't quite scan or rhyme but you get the gist...or do you?
Posted by: Anon, Abingdon on 6:47pm Thu 21 Aug 08
I would just to say that people do have a point slating him for what he did but there is no need to have a go at his wife who didn't know what was going on as she was at work full time and he hid it well. Some of the comments you people have put are just plain cruel,ok you want to vent but his family, who are innocent in all of this no matter what some people may think will read them. It is hard enough his wife is now a single parent without worrying that the whole of the inbred community are baying for her blood when she did nothing wrong. I think that some people are never happy unless they are moaning, case in point the 77 year old resident quoted in the article. Wantage is a small town and she now has to cope there alone with two small children with you lot acting like you would like nothing better than to take to the streets with torches and pitchforks!!
Oh well country people, country ways.
Posted by: tutu much on 3:30pm Fri 22 Aug 08
Dear Anon, Abingdon

Article Quotes:
Burned envelopes were found at his home.

Ms Thacker said when Royal Mail investigators searched Crayford's home, carrier bags full of postal items were found hidden in his garage, shed and downstairs toilet. Four of the specially-placed packages were also found in his vehicle.

Opened packets were found in his recycling bin and burned remains of undelivered post were discovered strewn in a flower bed.

A ruby solitaire ring, worth £194, was also found.


Don't agree with the personal attacks ... however, either they had a very poor relationship or she turned both eyes blind. IF she was aware of what what going on she was either too scared to say anything or aiding and abetting a criminal.

Working full-time is no excuse as that amounts to approximately 40 hours per week, so she must have been in the house long enough to see some evidence.
Posted by: Anon, Abingdon on 3:39pm Sat 23 Aug 08
My point was that nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors and maybe he was very good at hiding it in places where she doesn't go, garage, garden shed etc, I know I never go in mine!
I think that people find it very easy to judge just by what they read in the paper and hear on the news, unfortunatley some of these reports have been inaccurate ie the number of children they have and details about their house being reposessed. So if people are basing their views on what they read then they are probably a bit misled. Unless people know this family personally then they have no right to an opinion on what kind of a man he is.
Posted by: Ian Sternberg, Harwell on 10:10pm Tue 26 Aug 08
Zimmer wrote:
I reckon 'old jobsworth' at the Cowley Sorting office will have all his cronies out in support of a down trodden 'brother'.
Dear Zimmer ,

No - I don't think that the The CWU are going to be taking any action to support this Tosser .

First of all He worked in Wantage , so The Cowley Sorting Office don't have anything to do with Him & secondly We wouldn't consider Him " down trodden " or a " brother " . He has let all Posties down & He should suffer the full weight of the law .
Posted by: Ian Sternberg, Harwell on 10:33pm Tue 26 Aug 08
Ex-postal worker wrote:
This guy is scum like so many of the 'old school' working at Royal Mail. Guys, don't think he is the only one. So many are at it but feel untouchable with their Union lead by the lazy Lenin-wannabe life failure called Bob Cullen. I advise you to send anything important by recorded delivery or special delivery. The posties can't mess with those witout consequence.
Dear Ex-Postal Worker ,

Why post such a ridiculous & offensive comment which slags off large number of Postal Workers ? Scumbags like Him are just a tiny minority compared to the overwhelming number of honest &
hard-Royal Mail Employees .

He only worked in Wantage for a short period so He hardly fits the
" old school " stereotype that You have tried to paint .

You have just used this case as an excuse to make an attack on The CWU - but this is a case of criminality & has absolutely nothing to do with Trade Unionism . The CWU is not going to help criminals - We are as disgusted about this as everybody else & this Tosser has let all Posties down .

Finally You should be very carefull about possible libelling of individuals as You may have done with A Senior CWU Representative in Oxford. Insinuating that the CWU Rep has any sympathy with Those Who engage in criminal activity or would want to defend Them is sailing dangerously close to possible legal action !!!
Posted by: mobiletone, Norwich on 6:17pm Mon 1 Sep 08
i think scum like him should be made to write to everyone he's ripped off and apologise. i also suspect there is a thieving git in the Norwich sorting office as i've had three parcels go missing this month alone! i'm going to the police on friday.
Add your comment
Name:
Email: *
Location:
**
Security Image. Registered site users are not required to enter Security Image Information.
 
 e.g. 123-123
Comment:
Please note: All HTML tags will be ignored.
Format Text:

 
By posting a comment, I confirm that I have read and agree to the terms of use. Comments are not moderated but we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention and we may delete inappropriate postings. Please treat other people with respect. You must not post anything that is abusive, indecent, unlawful or defamatory. Remember, you are personally liable for what you post on this site. If you wish to complain about a comment, contact us here.
* Your email address will not be displayed
** To avoid register now or login
Archive
Event Listings
Find and advertise events that are going on around the county.
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy © Copyright 2001-2009
Newsquest Media Group
A Gannett Company
This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network