Zim pair jailed for mail bag thefts in UK

Zim pair jailed for mail bag thefts in UK

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By Staff Reporter

TWO Zimbabwean men formerly employed by Britain's mail courier firm, the Royal Mail, were starting jail sentences this week after pleading guilty to stealing mail bags.

Edmore Matsika, 28, and Josiah Wasunga, 27, were sentenced to two-and-half and two years in jail respectively after admitting to stealing Royal Mail uniforms, then posing as postmen to steal mail bags from 'drop points' in various parts of the UK.

Matsika, of Bell Green Road, Coventry, was jailed for 31 months after pleading guilty to four charges of stealing quantities of postal packages and driving while disqualified.

Wasunga, 27, of Hurn Way, Aldermans Green, Coventry, was jailed for two years after he admitted two of the theft charges.

Judge Richard Bray recommended that both men should be deported after serving their sentences.

Warwick Crown Court heard on Monday that the men and Wasunga's uncle, Isiah Bikishoni, were stopped by the police on the M6 at Corley on February 24.

Prosecutor Richard Cole said two days earlier, Matsika and Bikishoni had been captured by CCTV cameras at places in Shrewsbury where Royal Mail bags had been stolen.

And in the vehicle the police found Royal Mail bags that had been stolen from drops in Crewe earlier that day.

Matsika had also stolen a delivery pouch with a number of letters and cards in it from Earl Shilton four days before Christmas.

Both men worked for short periods for the Royal Mail.

Graeme Simpson, for Matsika, said Bikishoni was the ringleader and provided the uniforms - and Matsika agreed to take part because of problems caused by extortionate interest rates he was paying on a car loan.

Robert Hodgkinson, for Wasunga, said he had been immediately frank with the police, and was involved only in the thefts from Crewe.

Jailing the two men, Judge Bray told them: "Stealing from the Royal Mail has become a very prevalent offence, and it causes enormous damage to the public because so many credit cards and other valuable documents are sent by post. Serious deterrent sentences must be passed."
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