Security firm driver stole from eBay customers

3:47pm Monday 4th February 2008

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A security firm driver who stole from eBay customers has escaped being sent straight to prison.

But Nicholas Silvey, 31, now faces having to sell his house to pay for his crime.

A court heard that Silvey worked for parcel delivery firm UPS at Gatwick.

He stole packages bought by bidders on the internet auction site in 2005 and 2006.

They had been wrongly loaded onto his delivery van but he kept them and did not return them to the depot.

Instead, he tried to re-sell some of the items on eBay.

He was caught after an alert bidder spotted a pair of Mitsubishi fog lights he had bought being re-auctioned.

Ann Toynbee, prosecuting, said the bidder tipped off police and UPS in November 2006.

Mrs Toynbee said: "Police found an Aladdin's Cave of stolen property at his home.

"Some 58 items had been stored in boxes in the garage, the attic and in an under stairs cupboard."

The value of the stolen items was £17,282, but Silvey's benefit from re-selling some of them was £19,325.

Silvey, of Norfolk Close, Bewbush, Crawley, pleaded guilty to theft at an earlier hearing.

He appeared at Hove Crown Court to be sentenced yesterday. (mon) Rhodri James, defending, said Silvey will now have to sell his house under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

His £22,100 share in the equity of the property will be used to repay the benefit of his crime.

Mr James said Silvey now works as area manager for a vending company.

He added: "When he was arrested there was a degree of relief that things had come to a head.

"He has two children by a previous relationship and the Child Support Agency was deducting £700 at source from his wages.

"He was frustrated because he was also having problems over contact with his children.

"It has also been difficult for him that he now finds himself likely to lose his house."

Silvey, who had no previous convictions, was given a 12 month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

He faces another six months in prison if he fails to pay the £19,325 he owes within six months.

Silvey was also ordered to do 200 hours unpaid community work.