Dodgy Bridge of Weir postie William Laurie admits hoarding pile of parcels in locker

A CROOKED postman who hoarded more than 1,200 undelivered parcels and letters in his work locker and his home has escaped a jail sentence.

William Laurie, 56, from Bridge of Weir, was snared after management at the Royal Mail became suspicious and his locker was searched.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that, between January 2015 and March 2017, Laurie stashed a total of 362 items in his locker.

When his home and car were then searched, a further 932 letters and packages were discovered.

The items recovered by police included Ikea cutlery, a watch and polling cards.

Laurie pleaded guilty to intentionally delaying or opening mail, as well as stealing a quantity of postal packets.

He was ordered to perform 120 hours of unpaid work by Sheriff Andrew Cubie.

In addition, Laurie was put on a Community Payback Order for two years and ordered to be supervised by social workers.

The court heard that police were contacted by a Royal Mail delivery manager and an investigation was launched.

Prosecutor Amy Hunter said: “Officers attended at Laurie’s home and conducted a search of his property and vehicles.

“Packets were recovered from the accused in a vehicle belonging to the accused, the living room, bedroom and kitchen.”

The court was told mail being hoarded by Laurie had been due for delivery to customers in the southside of Glasgow.

Laurie told police he had opened four items “out of curiosity.”

Miss Hunter added: “He said he didn’t deliver the parcels as he was late and didn’t advise his manager.

“He said he was intending to deliver as much as he could.”
Laurie said he would have “disposed of” polling cards which were found in his living room.

Lawyer Jack Brown, defending Laurie, insisted his client “isn’t a dishonest man,” adding that he had been dealing with “difficulties” in his life at that time.

Last night, bosses at Royal Mail told The Gazette they have a “zero-tolerance approach” to any dishonesty.

A spokesperson said: “That stance is shared by the overwhelming majority of postmen and postwomen, who are honest and hardworking and do all they can to protect the mail and deliver it safely.

“Royal Mail will always seek to prosecute the tiny minority of people who abuse their position of trust.”