Steven Dean (33), of St Peter Port, accepted stealing stamps worth £3, but not to the value of £17, as was the prosecution case.
He committed the offences in the Co-op’s St Peter Port store.
Judge Graeme McKerrell said he did not believe that the difference justified having a hearing to determine the point, as the biggest factor that was likely to affect sentence was the defendant’s two previous convictions for stealing from an employer.
Dean was sentenced to 140 hours of community service.
