Courier driving brothers kept delivery items
Two brothers have admitted stealing goods they were meant to deliver during their work as Christchurch courier drivers.
The brothers – Gulati Sumit, 31, and Auluck Sumit, 27 – both admitted charges of theft by a person in a special relationship in separate appearances in the Christchurch District Court today.
Judge Garry Barkle fined both of them $850.
Much of the stolen property – including bottles of whisky, electronic gear including a camera and iPads, food, and perfumes – was found at their homes when police investigated.
Gulati Sumit had been employed as a courier driver and had to deliver items from a large store to various addresses around Christchurch in 2014 and 2015.
He kept some of the items himself but claimed he had delivered them when the company inquired, Judge Garry Barkle was told.
Defence counsel David Bunce said Gulati was keen for the charge to be dealt with today because he was leaving in October to travel to India for a month and while the prosecution was continuing the police were holding his passport.
The police were not seeking reparation from Gulati because many of the stolen items had been recovered and the courier firm was withholding a large payment for Gulati until after the other losses had been paid for.
Judge Barkle noted that Gulati Sumit had apologised to the courier firm that employed him. He had no previous convictions, and had pleaded guilty. He decided a fine could be imposed.
Soon after, Auluck Sumit admitted stealing a list of goods worth more than $5000 in similar circumstances. He had taken speakers, digital camera, television, iPad, tablet, and other items.
He received about $2000 by selling some items on TradeMe but other items were recovered. The courier firm was also holding a contractual payment in his case until reparation had been sorted out, defence counsel Sabrina Forrester told the court.
Judge Barkle imposed the fine and told Auluck Sumit: “Presumably you and him were in cahoots, both gee-ing each other along to offend in this way.”
Category: Focus
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