Postman stashed away 1,700 letters and parcels

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A postman who stashed away more than 1,700 letters and parcels he should have delivered in a Shropshire town has been ordered to do 120 hours community service.


Sean Steven While, 23, who was based at Telford’s Tweedale delivery, admitted stealing a miniature bottle of Bailey’s, two Xbox games, six DVDs and a Star Wars money box between June 2010 and May this year, all taken from parcels he opened.

While, of Burtondale, Brookside, Telford, further admitted intentionally delaying 1,179 addressed letters and parcels and 610 items of junk mail between December 2010 and May this year. Telford magistrates yesterday also ordered him to pay £16 compensation to Royal Mail and £2,080 costs.

Mr Chris Grainger, prosecuting, told the court that While worked for 21 months at Tweedale as a reserve postman.

He was caught out in a Royal Mail ‘sting’ after high levels of mail had been lost. Mr Grainger said While kept the bulk of the 1,789 items of undelivered mail in his van or at his then girlfriend’s homein Horsehay, Telford. The stolen goods from opened mail were found in While’s bedroom.

Mr Jonathan Mason, for While, said his client felt too much pressure to keep up with his rounds and Mr Mason believed he had a breakdown.