Postman faces charges of stealing and delaying mail (From St Helens Star)

Postman faces charges of stealing and delaying mail

9:16am Thursday 7th March 2013 in News

A POSTMAN is facing charges that he stole 883 mail items and delayed the delivery of another 30,000  over a five year period.

John Baden, 29, is accused of stealing packages that he should have delivered during his postal rounds in St Helens.

Baden, of Whittle Street,  Toll Bar, faces a further charge that he breached his duty by intentionally delaying the delivery of more than 9,857 addressed letters and 20,139 door to door mail items.

He is alleged to have committed the offences between November 2007 and November 2012.

The Star revealed in November how a huge stash of hoarded mail had been uncovered during a raid.

It led to a Royal Mail investigation and thousands of delayed letters and parcels being sent out to customers with a letter of apology. Addresses the mail was destined for are believed to have included homes in Moss Bank and Rainford.

Last year Royal Mail refused to release the name of the postman under investigation despite customers raising concerns.

The Star also understands postal workers in St Helens were under strict instructions to remain tight-lipped when asked about the investigation.

The Royal Mail, which has its own investigative body, did not make public that Baden was facing a prosecution.

However, the Star has learned he made an initial appearance before magistrates in St Helens, who bailed him to appear at Liverpool Crown Court until a date in May when he will enter a plea.

Baden is on unconditional bail.