Store manager stole £90,000 worth of stamps

Andrew Swales (39), of Woodland View, Thongsbridge in Holmfirth, was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court today.

Swales admitted stealing £90,000 worth of stamps from his employer in the Dearne Valley at a previous hearing.

The court heard that from 2009 to 2012 Swales ordered and then stole thousands of books of first and second class stamps when he was manager of the Co-operative convenience store on Snape Hill Road, Darfield. 

Police launched an investigation in July 2013 after an internal investigation revealed that large, high value orders of postage stamps were unaccounted for. 

Swales’ home was searched and a quantity of first and second class stamps were recovered.

He was interviewed in relation to the theft and had his first appearance at court in March. He pleaded guilty to theft at a hearing in April. 

On Friday, he was sentenced to one year and eight months for theft.

Det Con Graeme Badcock, the investigating officer, said: “Swales stole postage stamps that he had ordered to the store, before selling them on and using the money to buy electrical goods, fund foreign holidays and gamble, all at the expense of his employer. 

“This was a lifestyle beyond his means.

“His sentencing today is the result of a lengthy and complex investigation and I would like to thank everyone who has assisted in bringing Swales to justice, including staff at the Co-operative group.

“Thefts from businesses are not victimless crimes.”