Caterham postman sentenced for dumping mail

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thisissurreytoday.co.uk/news ... ticle.html

A THIEVING postie who failed to deliver over 1,500 items of mail dodged jail on Friday after a court heard he was "overwhelmed" by his responsibilities.

Caterham postman James Latter, 24, dumped bags of unopened post because he couldn't cope and helped himself to a dvd, a bag and a watch rather than delivering them.

The Royal Mail received a number of complaints that deliveries on Latter's round, in Caterham, were not being carried out..

But it was not until the occupant of Latter's former home in Park Road, Kenley, found a bag in her garden containing more than 100 items of undelivered mail, including two recorded delivery packages, the matter was investigated.

Frank Ledwidge, prosecuting, said: "He consented to a search of his car and his home which resulted in just over a thousand items of stamped and sorted packages being found and another 258 stamped letters."

Latter, now of Moat Road, East Grinstead, who lost his job of almost three years, also dumped mail at the place where he started his round.

Most of the items that were discovered had not even been opened leading Mr Ledwidge to add that there was "no significant or secondary order of financial gain."

The court was told that the offences were committed between May 8, 2005, and February 12 this year.

Hugh Griffiths, defending, said: "He is the first to appreciate the serious nature of these matters.

"He is a young man who went off the rails from 2005. He is not coming here to blame anybody else, the catalyst for these matters was being overwhelmed."

Recorder Stuart Lawson-Rogers, sentencing him, said: "I take into account that your motive in this was not for personal gain but because you were overwhelmed.

"That's not a criticism of the Royal Mail but may be a reflection of your own inadequacies."

Latter, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to three charges of theft and four offences of intentionally delaying mail at Guildford Crown Court.

The judge heard that he was now working as a labourer and trying to support his girlfriend and new-born baby.

Latter was sentenced to a community order with 18 month supervision and 250 hours unpaid work.

The judge added: "Part of my decision is mercy to your family and your young child,"

[Stormproof]

He is a young man who went off the rails from 2005

Going by the dates it looks like he went 'off the rails' as soon as he started at RM