POSTMAN'S SEA CRUISE

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LII, Issue 37, 8 May 1931, Page 7

POSTMAN'S SEA CRUISE

TRIPS ON STOLEN MONEY.

INCOME FROM RIFLED LETTERS

Alleged to have stolen money from letters for four years, and to have taken Continental holidays and a cruise to Gibraltar on part of the proceeds, William Edward Potter, postman, employed at the West Central District Office, in London, was lately charged with theft at the Old Bailey. Mr P. M. Marshall, of the secretary's office, stated that Potter was married and had one child. It was estimated that his thefts amounted to £2 a week. When asked where he got the money from for holidays in Paris and a sea cruise, he replied, "It came out of the post." A trusted servant, Potter was one of the last officers his superiors regarded with suspicion. In fact, he was only suspected a week before his arrest. He had stolen letters addressed to charitable organisations as the result of appeals. In these cases donors did not expect receipts, and the post office got no complaints. He did not take cheques or postal orders, but I only Treasury notes. His wages were £3 12s a week, and he was janitor of a block of buildings, from which he received £1 a week and lived rent free. He was also owner of a house in Hornsey, on which there was a mortgage of £800. Defending counsel pointed out that Potter had an admirable war record, and up to four years ago there was no complaint against him at all. About that time he was ordered chicken and other special diet after recovering from illness. His income was not sufficient for this, and he was tempted to take money. His estimate was that he had had about £200. His holidays in France were not expensive, nor was the cruise, which was for the benefit of his health. Potter had lost his situation, a future pension of £2 a week, and a bonus of £200, which he would have received on retirement. Potter was sentenced to three years' ; penal servitude.