Day a Pc collared his old mentor

28 July 2010

A COURIER accused of stealing parcels left the police officer who arrested her "embarrassed'' when it turned out he was once her trainee, a court heard.

Margaret Thomas, 44, of Crofton Road, Plaistow, and three other drivers allegedly cashed in on the Internet shopping boom by stealing hi-tech electrical goods on their rounds, it was claimed.

Pc Mark Pitcher said he felt awkward when tasked with bringing in Thomas, who had trained him as a courier before he joined the force.

Pc Pitcher pulled up in a squad car at City Link's Barking depot to apprehend her and three others.

The couriers allegedly struck between April 27 and June 3 2008, while operating from Barking, stealing mobile phones, flat screen TVs and iPods which had been ordered fraudulently from Carphone Warehouse and The Link as part of an even wider Internet scam, the jury was told.

They all deny theft.The trial continues.

More of story in this week's Rewcorder