'Lazy' postwoman hoarded parcels

Thousands of parcels were hoarded over a 15 month period

An East Lothian postwoman kept thousands of parcels in her home and car because she was "too lazy" to deliver them, a court has heard.

Coleen Brodie hoarded 5,820 parcels in Musselburgh and opened 12 at Christmas time because she was "hard up".

Brodie, 39, of Prestonpans, pled guilty to stealing 12 packages between December, 2004 and March, 2006 and delaying the post of 5,820 parcels.

Sheriff James Scott deferred sentence for background reports.

When she was interviewed she admitted that it was laziness on her part Fiscal Depute Alison Innes

Fiscal Depute Alison Innes told Edinburgh Sheriff Court that Brodie worked for the Royal Mail at its Musselburgh office in October, 2004.

An anonymous phone call in March, 2005 said a car was loaded with parcels.

Both Brodie's Musselburgh home and her car, parked nearby, were searched. Officers found thousands of undelivered parcels.

"When she was interviewed she admitted that it was laziness on her part and that she had intentionally delayed delivery," Mrs Innes said.

"She said she had also opened about a dozen near Christmas time because she was hard-up."