Postman ‘dubbed “Jimmy Savile of the office” threatened to get revenge with gun’

A Royal Mail postman who claimed colleagues had dubbed him the “Jimmy Savile of the post office” threatened to buy a gun to get revenge on them, a tribunal heard.

Colin Richardson was suffering from mental health problems when he claimed he was bullied and harassed by colleagues. He was later sacked as staff began to fear for their safety.

He said he would be “happy to spend the rest of his life in jail to get revenge” on workmates he claimed were “spreading rumours” about him, the Glasgow employment tribunal was told.

Richardson claimed he could “get a gun easy” by making a 430-mile round trip to Liverpool from his workplace in Falkirk, the Daily Record reports.

He also claimed police were monitoring his internet searches and sharing information with the people he claimed were bullying him.

Richardson, who worked for Royal Mail for more than 20 years, thought strangers were talking about him at the gym and supermarket, the tribunal in Glasgow heard.

Royal Mail staff were baffled and began to fear for their safety in April 2017 when he filed a formal complaint accusing seven colleagues of bullying and harassment.

Bosses changed security codes used to access the building, and the police were notified of Richardson’s “delusional” allegations.

Off sick at the time, Richardson said he was unhappy with the “farcical” outcome of his complaint and accused bosses of a cover-up.

After he was sacked, he claimed he was unfairly dismissed and a victim of disability discrimination.

He said bosses had not given sufficient consideration to his severe mental health problems.

The tribunal ruled the dismissal was fair because bosses had a duty to protect staff from him.

It heard Richardson was suffering from anxiety, depression and paranoia when he made his allegations.

A report from the tribunal stated: “When asked about the cause of his absence, Mr Richardson said that it went back to April 2016 and he thought a colleague was spreading rumours; that two colleagues were making fun of him having headaches, that one colleague referred to him as ‘the Jimmy Savile of the post office’.

“He said he believed this was a form of bullying and harassment.

“Then he is noted as saying, ‘If it doesn’t get resolved, I’ll take matters into my own hands to get justice. I can go to Liverpool to get a gun easy. And I’ll go to jail for the rest of my life as long as I get justice’.

“He believed he was being talked about constantly in the workplace, although he was reluctant to reveal names.”