A MAN who stole an Amazon delivery van and parcels in Bournemouth has avoided an immediate prison sentence.

Christopher Stanley Wright stole the silver Vauxhall Vivaro van and took some of the delivery packages from Pawel Garlicki's vehicle.

Wright, 56 and of South Kinson Drive, Bournemouth, committed the crime on June 6 last year with Jed Hudson, aged 29 and of Lander Close, Poole.

Hudson was handed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, after admitting the offences at Poole Magistrates' Court.

However, Wright pleaded not guilty. A trial went ahead in his absence after he failed to show up at court on October 1, 2020, and he was found guilty on both counts.

A warrant for his arrest was issued and he appeared in the dock on Monday, January 4, for sentencing.

Alongside the vehicle theft and stealing parcels, Wright was sentenced for two counts of failing to surrender to custody and possession of a knuckle duster, which he admitted.

District judge Stephen Nicholls handed the defendant an 18-week prison term, suspended for 18 months, along with an order to pay a £128 surcharge and £300 costs.

The knuckleduster was forfeited and destroyed.

As reported, a statement from Mr Garlicki said that at around midday on June 6, 2020, he felt as though he was being followed but did not think anything of it.

He parked on Portchester Road to deliver the parcel. He closed the doors and windows but left the key in the ignition and the car running.

He stated he was no more than 50 metres from the van, but when he returned he saw it driving away. He then phoned 999 to report the theft.

The van was then seen on Iddesleigh Road by residents Mark and Tommy Haywood-Briggs and off-duty police officer DS Simon Walters, who saw two people stealing a number of parcels.

It is not known how many parcels were stolen, but Mr Garlicki started his shift with 110 and when the van was recovered there were eight, although some of the parcels had been delivered.