A WEYMOUTH postman has admitted stealing and opening packages while at work.

Gary Cole, 46, of Norfolk Road in Weymouth, appeared at Dorchester Crown Court where he was sentenced for three charges of theft of a mail or postal packet and one charge of opening a postal packet or mail bag.

Judge Roger Jarvis sentenced Cole to 120 hours of unpaid work in the community and he was ordered to pay Royal Mail the definite loss of £24.99 within 28 days.

At a previous hearing, the court heard how Cole had opened post and disposed of the packaging at his work station.

After that hearing, a Royal Mail spokesman confirmed this was at the Royal Mail delivery office in Weymouth.

Prosecutor Susan Cavender said at the hearing that at least 14 items, including DVDs and a PlayStation game, were stolen.

Ms Cavender said: “Cole was responsible for a package on September 27 last year that was marked ‘not known at this address’.

“It essentially disappeared although the packaging was found in the waste bin next to Mr Cole’s work station.

“As a result, on October 1 two specially prepared packets were put into items that needed to be sorted and delivered by Mr Cole.

“He was watched by those supervising as Mr Cole went about his duties and he correctly handled one of the two.

“He left his work station and seemed to return with the contents of the other packet which he put onto the space above his work station and the packaging in a waste bin nearby.

“He removed three postal packages, opened two of them and removed the contents.”

The court heard that more than 100 DVDs were found at his home address including a PlayStation game with an invoice dated March 6 2009.

Ms Cavender added: “Certainly 14 of the items found at his home address had been stolen.

“When asked he said he could not remember how much was taken.”

In mitigation Tim Shorter said: “He is a wreck – he is hardly able to articulate.

“This man has had what used to be called a nervous breakdown. Clearly he has done wrong and he knows it, clearly he has abused a position of trust.”

Judge Jarvis told the defendant: “Postal workers are held in the highest of esteem in this country.

“They perform a very valuable and important role.

“They are at the heart of this country’s communication system and they are trusted by everyone.”