A POSTAL worker who stole 26 parcels in just one night shift has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Stephen Martin was employed at the Royal Mail sorting office in Town Centre, Hatfield, when he took the packets between 10pm on October 13 and 6am the next morning.

The 47-year-old from Martlesham, WGC, appeared before magistrates facing one charge of theft by employee.

He pleaded guilty to the offence and was given eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

Magistrates said the offence was so serious and breached a high level of trust.

Martin was ordered to complete 80 hours unpaid work within the next year and pay court costs of �300.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: “We have a zero tolerance approach to any dishonesty and that stance is shared by the overwhelming majority of postmen and women, who are honest and hardworking and 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.”