A ROYAL Mail manager stole cash from special delivery packages after running up personal debts of more than £23,000.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Paul Raymond Moss tried to cover his tracks by reporting some of the missing packages himself.

But investigators using covert cameras were eventually able to catch Moss in the act of emptying packages at the Clitheroe delivery office.

Moss, 33, of New Wellington Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to eight charges of theft and asked for one to be taken into consideration.

He was sentenced to 40 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 180 hours unpaid work.

His conviction comes after months of investigations by the Royal Mail’s own detectives.

Moss, a dad-of-four, was suspended in March and investigations also took place at the Canterbury Street depot in Blackburn as well as at Clitheroe.

The court heard that cash sums of £2,000, £421 and £1,000 were among those stolen.

The court was told that in one package contained 2,000 Australian dollars, 2,000 Egyptian pounds and 15,000 South African Rand and another contained 1,000 American dollars. In total more than £8,000 was stolen.

Yesterday Moss refused to speak about the court case but his defence team at court said that he had started to fall into financial difficulties after going into negative equity following a house purchase.

Kevin Preston, prosecuting, said Moss admitted the offences when interviewed by investigators.

He said: “Moss said he was using the money to put towards his debts but he also admitted spending on presents and using £500 for a deposit on a new car.”

Michael Blacklidge, defending, said Moss had always been a hard working individual who had paid his way. He said his client fell into the negative equity trap after buying a house when prices were at their highest.

Mr Blacklidge said: “He may have been able to cope with that but not when his wife was unable to work.

“Suddenly they didn’t have enough to cover what was going out and debts built up.

"Because of that downward spiral he succumbed to temptation.

“Despite the difficulties he and his wife are very strong in their relationship,” said Mr Blacklidge.

“He has let his wife and his family down and he has no intention of doing that again.”

A spokesman for the company said: “Royal Mail has a zero tolerance approach to any dishonesty and that stance is shared by the overwhelming majority of employees, 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.”