Postman jailed for hoarding mail

Letters and parcels were stuffed in every room of the postman's home

A postman has been jailed for nine months after more than 34,000 unopened letters were found at his home.

When police went to question Rodger Parkinson they found so much mail a lorry was needed to take it away.

Parkinson, 48, formerly of Hoylandswaine, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, said to police officers: "I'm glad in a way - it needs sorting."

He was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday after earlier admitting delaying the delivery of post.

The court heard every room at Parkinson's home was so crammed with mail even the bathroom was packed with letters.

None of the letters had been opened and Parkinson, who suffered from diabetes, simply could not cope with his job, the court head.

The sentence must punish you and support the hundreds of genuine postmen and women Judge Robert Moore

The postman, who now lives in the Crosspool area of Sheffield, worked in the Penistone and Stocksbridge area of South Yorkshire.

Judge Robert Moore said the sentence had to support the hundreds of genuine postal workers.

He said: "I take the view that this matter is so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate.

He added: "Given the state of his physical and mental health custody will be hard - but the sentence of nine months must punish you and support the hundreds of genuine postmen and women."

After the case, a Royal Mail spokesman said: "Royal Mail has a zero tolerance approach to any form of crime and will always seek to prosecute the tiny minority of people who abuse their position of trust and undermine the dedication and honesty of the vast majority of our hardworking postmen and women."

Following Parkinson's arrest, all the mail was delivered along with a letter or explanation and apology.