A postman who stole cash from charity mail has been given a suspended jail term.

Stuart Joy admitted stealing postal packets containing cash between December 2016 and February this year.

The 53-year-old, from Hennock, also pleaded guilty to a second charge of stealing 35 packets worth £114 from the Royal Mail at Newton Abbot.

South and West Devon magistrates jailed him for 18 weeks in total but suspended the term for two years.

He also has to pay £235 costs and carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

The magistrates said it was a premeditated breach of trust with a charity involved.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: ‘Royal Mail has a zero tolerance approach to any dishonesty and that stance is shared by the overwhelming majority of postmen and women who are honest and hardworking and who do all they can to protect the mail and deliver it safely.

‘Royal Mail will always seek to prosecute the tiny minority of people who abuse their position of trust.’