Former Bristol City star tagged in postal burglary plot

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A FORMER Bristol City football hero has been accused of using his position with Royal Mail to provide tip-offs which led to 19 Weston homes being burgled.

Andrew Llewellyn, of Bedford Road in Weston, played at right back for the West Country’s biggest football club for a decade from 1984-94, and was a key part of the promotion-winning side in 1990.

Now retired, the 45-year-old works as a postman in the resort, but appeared in court this week charged with conspiring to burgle 19 houses between March and April this year.

North Somerset Courthouse in St Georges heard allegations that Llewellyn conspired with 46-year-old Adam Holmes, of Argyle Avenue, and ‘others’ to target the homes.

Prosecutors allege that Llewellyn leaked private information from Royal Mail files showing which properties had signed up to its Keep Safe Scheme.

The idea is that people who are going on holiday inform Royal Mail and their post is withheld to prevent a build-up of letters and parcels which would indicate that no-one is home.

However, Llewellyn is accused of sharing these details with companions, who used the information to plot several burglaries at empty homes in Weston and Bleadon.

Llewellyn, who is still a keen sportsman and captains Uphill Castle Cricket Club 2nd XI, has yet to enter a plea in response to the charge.

He has been released on conditional bail, but must wear a security tag so his movements can be tracked, and was told to surrender his passport and report to the police station daily.

His curfew order means he must remain at home from 10pm to 7am and he was due to appear at Bristol Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Royal Mail is working closely with the police on an investigation and we have suspended an employee.

“Royal Mail has a zero tolerance approach to any crime.”