Postman sold items he stole from mail on eBay

Peter Robert Nattrass helped himself to hundreds of items which passed through his hands at the Harehills sorting office in Leeds over a 12 month period.

When his dishonesty was finally uncovered and his account with the internet auction site checked it showed he had sold 800 games, 172 DVDs, 14 consoles, 20 cameras and 39 iPods and MP3 players raising 24,571 for himself, Warner Falk, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court yesterday.

The postman told police he had spent the money he made on gambling and clothes after suffering depression following the death of his mother.

Richard Reed, representing Nattrass, told the court he had also squandered the inheritance he received after his mother's death which was typical of someone suffering bi-polar disorder, the illness from which he was now believed to be suffering.

Nattrass, 42, of Silk Mill Close, Tinshill, Leeds, admitted two charges of theft and one of interfering with postal packets.

He was sentenced to 51 weeks in prison suspended for two years with supervision for 18 months and a condition to continue with treatment from his community mental health team.

Judge James Spencer QC said the offences were serious and there had to be a prison sentence but because of his precarious mental condition it would not be immediate.

He said the number of thefts must have been substantial and he had spent the money he received on himself. He ordered Nattrass to pay 6,661.36 in costs and compensation. after hearing relatives would pay it and recover it from him later.