Postman avoids jail after stashing more than 9,000 items

A postman who stashed more than 9,000 items of mail at his West Midland home and opened packages containing electrical items, pocketing himself a tablet computer and Sony Walkman, has avoided jail.

Benjamine Bryan was caught after Royal Mail placed a tracking device inside a test package he was due to deliver which they traced back to his home.

Judge John Wait told the 23-year-old, of Addenbroke Street, Darlaston, his dishonesty led to the public losing trust in Royal Mail.

Mr John Dove, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday there was even evidence Bryan had burned some of the undelievered mail.

Bryan, who was based at Royal Mail's Bilston delivery office, was caught in November last year taking a package home.

Bosses gave him a test package, containing a tracking device and £25 JD gift card.

"The tracking signal showed the package was still inside his vehicle when he parked it outside his address," Mr Dove said. "Two police officers went to his address and he was arrested."