Thieving postie’s £500 spree

A MONEY-troubled postman bought food with some of the £500 he took from greetings card-type packages.

Andrew Burke’s seven-month stealing spree ended after “test” mail was put in pillar boxes cleared by him.

Some of the testers disappeared — when Burke was caught with tampered mail in his possession and £105 he confessed to stealing.

More torn-up packages, gift cards and a further £140 was discovered in his home and car, said Huw Edwards, prosecuting at Manchester City Magistrates’ Court.

Burke (46), of Main Street, Failsworth, had worked for the Royal Mail for 26 years is now in danger of being jailed after admitting four offences of theft and attempted theft.

He was bailed until November 7 for an all-options report and warned being sent for sentence to the crown court couldn’t be ruled out.

Of the 53 damaged packages Burke, who resigned from his job in July, said he had helped himself to money from some of them.

Burke told investigators he began stealing last Christmas and only did it when he needed money. Burke suffered a serious injury at work in 2008 which led to financial problems and the threat of his home being repossessed, said Damien Mullarkey, defending.

“There is the possibility he may be suffering from bi-polar. He realises it is a significant breach of trust and is full of remorse”, said Mr Mullarkey.