Six months for 'lazy' postwoman

Thousands of parcels were hoarded over a 15 month period

An East Lothian postwoman who kept thousands of parcels in her home because she was "too lazy" to deliver them has been jailed for six months.

Coleen Brodie, 39, was told by Sheriff James Scott that she was guilty of a serious breach of trust.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that she hoarded 5,820 parcels in Musselburgh and opened a dozen at Christmas.

Brodie, of Prestonpans, pled guilty to stealing 12 packages between December 2004 and March 2006.

Sheriff Scott said: "The public are entitled to be protected from such behaviour from people entrusted to be in charge of their mail."

The court heard Brodie had been employed by the Royal Mail at its office in High Street, Musselburgh.

'At a low ebb'

An anonymous phone call was received saying a car parked in Musselburgh was loaded with parcels.

Defence agent Simon Collins said Brodie had been "at a low ebb" at the time of the offences.

Her marriage had come to an end and she had found herself in employment which was overwhelming her.

The 12 packets which had been opened were recovered, he said.

As for the non-delivered items, Mr Collins said: "This was a delaying tactic. Her intention was to complete her round on another date."