Postie hoarded 4,000 items of mail

A postman who hoarded more than 4,000 items of mail in his car and bedroom because he was "not in the right frame of mind" to deliver them, has avoided jail.

Robert Hubble, aged 21, from Blackheath, hid mail for up to four months and said he "did not feel prepared" to deliver them following two weeks of training, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Hubble, who was based at the Coombs Wood delivery office in Halesowen, was caught when he failed to turn up for an overtime shift. A manager went to his house to pick up a set of work keys from him and noticed red delivery satchels containing post, in his Citroen Saxo.

Hubble, of Belle Vue Road, was confronted and investigators found 1,333 items of mail and 2,347 flyers and leaflets in the car. A further 275 items of mail and 80 leaflets were found in his bedroom.

Hubble, who had worked at the office for nine months, told investigators he "didn't feel particularly prepared" to do his rounds.

He had worked for the Post Office for nine months when he was caught in November last year. He was suspended in December and resigned two days later.

In interview, Hubble, who admitted intentionally delaying the post, said: "To be honest, I've not been in the right frame of mind."

The court heard he had had family problems and had split up with his girlfriend, but was now in a new relationship and was a barman at Halesowen Conservative Club.

Recorder Mr Paul Farrer QC, said Hubble had been suffering from depression, but added: "The public place in you a degree of trust to look after the mail and to deliver it.

"You failed to deliver and kept in your house and car many items of mail, that will have included important documentation, bills, hospital appointments.

"It will have caused many members of the public inconvenience and distress."

He was given a 12-month community order and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid community work.