Parcel delivery driver who stole £3,200 wine in his van

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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A former delivery driver who helped himself to £3,245 of wine destined for a major booze firm has been ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work following what a magistrate branded “a very expensive mistake”.

Anthony Thornley, 38, of Marl Hill Crescent, Ribbleton, Preston, was working as a driver for City Link couriers at the time and was based at their depot on Roman Way Industrial Estate in Preston.

He was found guilty of theft after a trial at Preston Magistrates Court and has since been sacked by the firm.

During his sentencing, the court heard the alcohol had never been recovered.

Prosecuting, Ian Much said: “City Link have a warehouse on Roman Way and each delivery driver is given a hand held scanner that they use to scan the goods on their vehicle.

“The defendant is a delivery driver and on May 31 a pallet of 27 cases of wine were to be delivered to Virgin Wines.”

The court heard Virgin Wines contacted City Link to say the wine, worth £3,200, had never been received.

When City Link made checks they found a man called Mr ‘Swannell’ had allegedly signed for the goods - but Virgin Wines said this wa impossible as the worker was away on holiday at the time.

Mr Much added: “ Checks showed at no point did Mr Thornley deliver the wine, but he delivered the other items on his checksheet. CCTV showed the wine being moved from the warehouse by a white man who was identified as the defendant.”

Defending, Ivan Dickinson said Thornley was in financial difficulties after losing his job as a result of the proceedings and had got into debt because he was not entitled to benefits.

He must pay a £60 victim surcharge but no costs.

[Lounge Lizard]

A former delivery driver who helped himself to £3,245 of wine destined for a major booze firm has been ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work following what a magistrate branded “a very expensive mistake”.
And of course it's only “a very expensive mistake” because he got caught.