Crooked postmaster jailed

A former sub-postmaster from north Cornwall has been jailed for six months for theft.

John Thornton, 59, admitted stealing £22,500 from the Altarnun post office and five charges of false accounting.

Although the money had been repaid, Truro Crown Court heard his actions were a gross breach of trust over a long period of time.

Thornton wept when the judge announced his sentence.

The court was told he had taken out a £100,000 mortgage to buy the post office and stores three years ago.

He got out of his depth and took the money to keep the business afloat.

He had intended to repay it from an inheritance payment he received since the offences came to light.