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 Bishop Auckland magistrates yesterday.

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

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

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

Barlow said he had intended to deliver the post at a later date.

He said the money he had stolen had been spent on living expenses.

John Wager, for Barlow, 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. He was going to take them on a later date."

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report.