A man in the UK has been described as receiving a sentence “beyond the powers of any court” after stealing £8,000 worth of parcels from an Evri depot. Darren O’Brien loaded his van with three cages full of items meant for customers, by pretending to be a courier and gaining entry to the site. His intentions were to make extra money for his family before Christmas, so he set up a Vinted account to sell the stolen goods. Despite his history of health issues post-burglary, O’Brien managed to avoid a direct jail sentence. The theft took place at the firm’s distribution centre on Pacific Road in Bootle.
Liverpool Crown Court revealed that O’Brien, 53, entered the site alongside legitimate drivers and simply took three cages filled with parcels waiting for delivery. The stolen parcels were valued at £8,420 in total. A vigilant worker noticed his actions and alerted authorities, leading to O’Brien being intercepted by police while driving a Skoda Kamiq crammed with parcels valued at around £1,600. Further investigation found incriminating messages on his mobile phone relating to selling stolen items on Vinted, including a Boohoo dress.
During questioning, O’Brien confessed that he had been approached by individuals in a pub who offered him £800 to steal from the Evri depot. His criminal record includes 43 previous convictions for 82 offenses, with his most recent prison sentence in 2018 for racially-aggravated assault and harassment. O’Brien was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2020 and currently resides in a care home due to his health deterioration.
In court, the defense highlighted his declining health and the six-year gap since his last offense as factors to consider. Judge Ian Harris acknowledged O’Brien’s deteriorating health but reiterated the seriousness of his criminal record. Despite receiving a suspended 16-month imprisonment sentence for burglary and fraud, O’Brien expressed remorse and pledged not to reoffend upon leaving the court. The judge warned that any future offense would result in immediate imprisonment.
O’Brien’s case serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of criminal actions, with his health condition influencing the court’s decision. While he avoided immediate incarceration, O’Brien must adhere to strict terms to avoid imprisonment. The judge’s leniency was contingent on O’Brien maintaining a law-abiding lifestyle moving forward. As he left the courtroom, O’Brien thanked the court and expressed his remorse, hoping to turn a new leaf and avoid further trouble.