A POSTMAN pleaded guilty to delaying and stealing mail after hundreds of letters and parcels were found at his home.

Michael Barlow, 24, from Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, appeared before the town's magistrates on Monday.

The court heard how Barlow stole about £150 from greeting cards and packages that he should have delivered between January and May, this year.

He denied stealing until officers told him they had placed six items for him to post on his round and they had not been delivered.

His locker and house were searched and about 900 advertising leaflets and hundreds of envelopes and packages were found.

Barlow claimed he had intended to deliver the post at a later date. He said the money he had stolen had been spent on living expenses.

Defence solicitor John Wager said: "This is not a large scale theft or deception. This is in effect a small amount of £5 here and £5 there. There was only a wilful delay of 1,650 postal packets, it is not alleged he stole them. About 900 were advertising leaflets.

"He was going to deliver them, but he had too much to deliver. His round was too long and bag too heavy."

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report and Barlow will reappear at Bishop Auckland Magistrates Court on August 7.