A PILFERING postie who hoarded hundreds of undelivered parcels and letters in his work locker and his home has escaped a jail sentence.

William Laurie, 56, from Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, 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 362 items in his locker.

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

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

Laurie said he had opened four of the parcels out of curiosity. He claimed he did not deliver the mail because of time constraints, but did not inform his line manager of this.

He pled guilty to intentionally delaying or opening mail meant to be delivered in the southside of Glasgow.

Laurie also admitted stealing a quantity of postal packets.

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

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 the 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.”

Laurie told police that 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, said: “He isn’t a dishonest man and was dealing with difficulties in his life at that time.”