Suspended postie gets backing from MP

The Leader of the House of Commons has vowed to intervene in the case of a South Staffordshire postwoman suspended by Royal Mail after a thief tried to steal her van.

Julie Roberts clung to the bonnet of her work van for nearly a mile as it was driven off by an opportunist thief in Trysull, only to be suspended for leaving her keys in the ignition.

Sir George Young has now promised to contact Royal Mail after being made aware of her plight by South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson in Parliament yesterday.

During the session, Sir George said: "Julie sounds like a courageous lady who was doing her best to defend Royal Mail property, and I will certainly draw my honourable friend's remarks to the attention of the Royal Mail chairman, and make sure this lady is recognised, if appropriate, rather than penalised."

On April 10, a thief tried to steal her van. After dropping off a package, Julie, aged 51, says she got out of the vehicle when she realised she had dropped her pen just a few yards away.

When she turned around after collecting the pen, she saw a man in the driving seat and sprung into action. Staffordshire Police have arrested and bailed a 30-year-old man from Dudley on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking and theft.

Julie, of Bull Lane, Wombourne, has received more than 100 letters from residents who have been campaigning to have her reinstated. She has worked in the Trysull and Seisdon areas for 10 years.