A POSTMAN hid thousands of parcels and letters over more than a year because he felt he could no longer cope with the demands of his job, a court heard.

A POSTMAN hid thousands of parcels and letters over more than a year because he felt he could no longer cope with the demands of his job, a court heard.

Bradley Till, of Beech Avenue, Halstead, was spared an immediate jail term after admitting three charges of delaying post, criminal damage and attempted criminal damage at Chlemsford Crown Court.

The 37-year-old tried to shred and dispose of ten bin bags containing mail meant to be posted out in Sudbury in a desperate attempt to stop his bosses finding out the full extent of his non-deliveries.

Till was sentenced to five months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 170 hours of community work, following an investigation by Royal Mail.

The court heard on Thursday how he began stuffing letters and parcels around his home and in his van instead of delivering them because he became depressed following a break-up with his partner and hearing his mother had got cancer.

In a recycling bin alone mail bosses found 2,347 items of mail, which had been dumped after Till's shredder broke. Further items were also found in his locker, van, loft and garage.

He admitted the three charges put against him in interview and Lynne Shirley, representing Till, said he felt he had no choice but to resign from Royal Mail.

The mail, which has now been delivered, related to dates from February 4, 2008 and September 10 last year.

Till was ordered to pay Royal Mail �154.56 in compensation and �500 in costs.

A Royal Mail spokesman said after the case: “Royal Mail has a zero tolerance approach to any dishonesty and that stance is shared by the overwhelming majority of postmen and women, who are honest and hardworking and who do all they can to protect the mail and deliver it safely. We will always seek to prosecute the tiny minority of people who abuse their position of trust.”