Convicted robber Shane Newman stole phones from Preston parcel depot he got a job at

Shane Newman, 41, was employed temporarily at the DPD courier warehouse in Preston through the ASB Resourcing agency when he was spotted by another worker acting suspiciously with a small parcel that he later hid in his coat.

Preston Magistrates' Court heard Newman, of Rockburgh Crescent, Walmer Bridge, Preston, was searched after the incident on December 4 and found in possession of two Samsung mobile phones worth £2000.

Wearing a khaki top, he stood with his hands clasped in the box at Preston Magistrates' Court as he pleaded guilty to theft by an employee.

Prosecuting, Elliot Taylforth said: " Mr Newman had been employed by DPD on a temporary basis. He was working in a warehouse when a member of staff saw him with a package and was suspicious because he was moving to the other end of the warehouse with a package.

"It was reported to a manager and the manager invited Mr Newman in for a brief interview.

"He agreed to be searched and in his possession he had two Samsung Galaxy S9 mobile phones. He admitted he was trying to steal them but had little thought as to what he would do with them having done so.

"He said he doesn't know why he's taken the phones, he'd been an 'idiot' was his response."

Newman has 10 previous convictions for 34 offences - including 19 thefts between 1998 and 2013 - but nothing since 2013.

He served seven years for a robbery in 2004.

Defending. Sephton Lee said: "He has been working putting items in relevant places for delivery and in boxes ready to be taken out.

"He accepts he placed a small parcel in his coat. He tells me he doesn't know why he's done it, he didn't think about what he was doing.

"He didn't know what was in the parcel and clearly didn't know the value of its contents.

"The depot carried out spot checks and he was well aware of spot checks. A line manager approached him and he immediately said he concealed a parcel.

"The police were called, he was taken to the police station and made a full and frank admission. The property was recovered.

The court heard Newman lives with his partner and four stepdaughters.

He has obtained new employment through another agency doing night work at Tarleton driving a forklift truck.

He was given 130 hours unpaid work, and must pay an £85 surcharge and £85 costs.

The chairman of the bench said: "This is a breach of trust.

"The mitigating factors are you've not been before the court since 2013 and your co-operation with the police."