A POSTMAN has been sentenced to 200 hours community service after being caught with hundreds of undelivered letters and greeting cards at his home.

Michael Christopher Barlow, 24, pleaded guilty to four charges of stealing mail and two of delaying the delivery of it when he appeared before Bishop Auckland magistrates yesterday.

Stephen Kettlewell, prosecuting on behalf of Royal Mail, told the court when Barlow's flat in Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, was searched, more than 900 advertising leaflets were discovered, along with 700 letters and greeting cards.

The court heard the mail had started to pile up because Barlow felt he had too much to deliver, his bag was too heavy and he intended delivering them "bit by bit".

But he admitted taking advantage and stealing about £150 from greeting cards over three months.

Barlow, who had worked at the Wear Valley Letter Delivery Office for three years, was put under observation after the office received complaints from people who had not received their mail.

The court heard he was given a specially prepared postal packet containing six items and was caught when he failed to deliver four of them.

Mr Kettlewell described Barlow's actions as a breach of trust.

Jon Wager, in mitigation, said Barlow had suffered from stress after a split with his girlfriend. His client was sorry for what he had done and had never been in trouble before.

Magistrates ordered him to carry out community service, pay £128 compensation, and Royal Mail costs of £500.