Community service for mail dumper

Thomas admitted dumping 3,644 letters and cards in less than a week

A postman has been ordered to carry out 240 hours of community service after dumping almost 4,000 letters.

Aaron Thomas, 21, from Crieff, put them in wheelie bins or hid them in the boot of his car, his home, or the boxes that postmen use to store mail.

Thomas confessed what he had done after residents complained about not receiving mail for a week in November.

He had only been with Royal Mail for two months and claimed there was a lot of pressure to finish rounds quickly.

'Haunt me'

Thomas told Perth Sheriff Court: "This is the first bad thing I have ever done in my life - since not doing my homework when I was at school."

He hid 3,644 pieces of mail in less than a week instead of delivering it around the houses of Crieff.

Checks confirmed Thomas covered the area and three of his bags were found inside "pouch boxes" used by postmen to store mail.

He admitted two charges of intentionally delaying mail.

He told the court: "I cannot explain the remorse I feel and no doubt it will haunt me for many months. I do not consider myself lazy at all."

Sheriff Robert McCreadie said: "Delaying the mail is a serious matter. I take into account you are a first offender and your past record shows a strong work ethic."

Thomas was sacked from his job following a Royal Mail investigation.