A 20-year-old temporary postal worker today pleaded guilty to stealing more than 660 packages from the Royal Mail when he appeared at court in Sittingbourne.

James Sillifant, of Meyrick Road, Sheerness, will be sentenced by a judge at Maidstone Crown Court at a later date.

Sillifant, who was contracted by an agency to deliver for Royal Mail, was arrested on June 21 for three counts of theft of mail and one charge of stealing a Marbles MasterCard, in the name of Avelina Cavender, in May. He also stole seven DVDs and two CDs from Royal Mail on May 11.

Robert Bullock, prosecuting for Royal Mail, said the thefts came to light after a member of the public witnessed Sillifant throwing bundles of mail into bushes behind Oak Road, Murston, near Sittingbourne, on May 10.

He said a Royal Mail manager attended the scene with police and found about eight or nine piles of packages.

The court heard that police searched his bedroom and found about 350 postal packets. Officers also found the DVDs and CDs hidden inside a guitar case, Mr Bullock said.

Mr Bullock added: “When questioned he admitted stealing most of the items save for the Marbles MasterCard, which he said he found discarded and picked up. He did say he had delivered some mail, but when he received further amounts he decided not to deliver that.”

Philip Carberry, defending, asked for pre-sentence reports to be made before sentencing. The magistrates agreed and asked for reports to be prepared on an all-options basis.

Presiding magistrate Philip Lecampe said: “Having considered the list of offences and the seriousness with which we, as a bench view them, and the fact there was a breach of trust, we do not feel our sentences are strict enough for you.”

Sillifant was released on conditional bail for sentencing at the crown court.