A DELIVERY driver sacked after an "inconclusive" lie detector test when a package went missing at the firm he worked at is looking for work again – after being dismissed from another courier company.
John Butcher, of Molrams Lane, Chelmsford, says he has been "left on the scrapheap" after he was fired from parcel delivery firm UK Mail at the start of January – just four weeks after being dismissed by Interlink Express.
He had previously recorded inconclusive lie detector test results after he was accused of stealing valuable stock.
The 46-year-old, who was dismissed from UK Mail on Monday last week, suspects it could be linked to last month's dismissal after he featured in this paper.
He said: "I had a call at about 7pm on Monday from one of the night managers saying I was no longer welcome on the premises. I couldn't believe it, I thought he was joking.
"But I'd had all my security checks done and I was really happy that I was back in work. Everything was going really well; I'd been working at their Basildon depot for about a month.
"I'm walking the dogs when I should be at work. I feel let down by the industry. I need an explanation; it's starting to put a strain on my home life and I've been left on the scrapheap.
"Now, I'm actively unemployed and I still have no idea why I was sacked. I feel as if I'm owed an answer, although I reckon people high up are upset that I made my first sacking public."
The Chronicle reported last month how Mr Butcher had been dumped by Interlink Express for allegedly stealing a parcel full of iPhones in the run up to Christmas. He strenuously denies the accusation.
The delivery driver of more than two decades' experience took his case to a small claims court, adding that he has now been paid the three weeks' wages he was owed by Interlink Express.
Despite the windfall, the stepfather-of-two suggested he was upset that his reputation has been tarnished to such an extent that UK Mail fired him without explaining the reasons why.
He said: "Everyone is moving on and I'm not, but I can tell you now, I'm no thief. I was delivering electrical goods to people and businesses across Billericay as usual.
"But I've finally been paid the money I was owed by Interlink Express. They paid the £2,400 into my account, but I only noticed three or four days after it had arrived. I wasn't given any notice it had been paid, which I didn't think was very polite."
A spokesman for UK Mail said: "Mr Butcher is neither an employee or contractor of UK Mail and therefore we are not able to comment any further."
