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Gambling addictions to online casinos have caused postal workers in the United Kingdom to resort to desperate measures.  An employee of the Royal Mail stole more than GBP 75,000 from special delivery posts at the Norwich sorting office. Apparently cases like this are no longer unique.  There appears to be a rise in everyday people, wives and students, stealing in order to fund their addiction to online casinos.

The name of the postal worker is Patricia Barnes.  The 39 year old woman has worked for the Royal Mail for 14 years.  A surveillance operation exposed her after it was discovered that there was a significant shortfall in cash being sent to the Royal Mail Peterborough finance center.  According to the surveillance team it was Barnes’ unnatural behavior that led them to search her.  Two special delivery posts were found on her posts.  Barnes took the items knowing that there is usually cash inside of special delivery posts.

Barnes admitted that she intended to use the money to gamble at online casinos.  She apparently had strong impulses to play online bingo and slot machines at online casinos.  According to Royal Mail prosecuting attorney Adam Harbinson, between April 2007 and June 2008 Barnes managed to steal GBP 987 in checks and a staggering GBP 74,425 in cash.

“These are thefts in breach of a high degree of trust. Offences of this nature undermine the public confidence in the postal service,” said Harbinson. 

Barnes openly admits to stealing from the Royal Mail.

“I accept this was done to support a gambling habit that's made very easy indeed with the availability of the internet,” said Record Philip Brooke-Smith, sentencing Barnes to 12 month imprisonment.

 

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