A POSTMAN who admitted stealing more than 100 packages and cards from his Bishop Auckland round was jailed for three months, yesterday.

In just over three months, 26-year-old Paul Lax stole money from 133 postal packages, Bishop Auckland magistrates heard.

Lax, from Teesdale Walk, Bishop Auckland, was caught when he stole cash from another three dummy packages, sent by his suspicious employers, Consignia.

Jonathan Moreland, prosecuting on behalf of Consignia, told the court that Lax denied any wrongdoing until he was told about the test postal packages. He then admitted the crime and produced three of the packets, from which he had taken £40, from his bag. He had also stolen £40 from five other parcels.

After further questioning he admitted taking about ten to 15 parcels a week for between six and eight weeks.

Lax pleaded guilty to three counts of theft between June and August last year, involving 141 postal packages.

Mr Moreland said: "Consignia says the defendant not only breached the trust of his employer, but also the trust of members of the public."

Lyanne Steinberg, mitigating, said Lax had hit hard times since the break-up of his marriage in 1998.

He moved in with a new girlfriend and her child, but was unable to support them both and pay maintenance for his four-year-old son, so his wife refused him access to his child.

After being sacked from Consignia in August last year, his girlfriend had also left him.

In addition, he ran up a £2,200 electricity bill due to a fault at his home.

The court heard how he became so overwhelmed by his problems that he attempted to take his own life.

Miss Steinberg said: "I would stress this young man has learnt his lessons already.

"This is a young man who has lost everything. He will be unable to get a good job now with this black mark against him."

Speaking after the case, a Consignia spokesman said: "We take security of mail very, very seriously and always prosecute."