A POSTMAN who stole money has been given community punishment.

Moez Dardouri, 35, stole £15 out of one of the five packages he was supposed to deliver.

Dardouri was employed by the Post Office for more than five years and was responsible for the Castlefields area from the Houghton-le-Spring base.

He pleaded guilty to one charge of theft during a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court last month.

Dardouri, of Burns Avenue South, Houghton-le-Spring, appeared before the court to learn his fate yesterday and was given a 100 hours community punishment order and was ordered to pay £500 costs.

Judge David Hodson told him: "You were in a position of trust as a postman. You broke that trust by stealing this £15.

"As a consequence, you lost your job and your previous good character. I am sure that is something that weighs heavily with you. The public expects postmen to be honest and above suspicion."

The court heard that Dardouri is now employed at a pizzeria.