A POST Office counter clerk who stole almost £167,000 which he blew on flash cars and a “lavish” lifestyle has been jailed for two years and four months.

University student Mohammed Patel, aged 20, of Hill Cot Road, Astley Bridge, Bolton, bought and hired luxury sports cars and spent thousands of pounds on designer clothes and jewellery with the proceeds of his dishonesty.

Patel, who wanted to be an accountant, admitted the theft of £166,873.52 from the main Blackburn Post Office between December 18, 2006, and August 2, 2007, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The court heard he had access to all the finances and altered the books to cover up the thefts.

Irshad Sheikh, defending, said Patel, who has no previous convictions, had at first made a mistake and when it was not spotted, he realised he could enter cheques as having been received and effectively keep the money.

He added: “He nearly ripped his family apart as a result of these matters.”

An allegation of money laundering was ordered to lie on file.