Postman admits stealing 76,000 letters

A postman is facing jail after stealing so much mail he was forced to move out of his flat where he had stashed it.

Paul Noga, 38, of Ashington, Northumberland, admitted taking more than 76,000 letters and packages in the two years up to September 2009.

He will be sentenced next month after pleading guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to theft, delaying or opening post, criminal damage and arson. The court heard yesterday that Noga locked up his flat and moved in with his mother when his home became overcrowded with stolen post.

By the time police searched the premises, virtually every surface was covered. Judge Brian Forster warned the postman he faced jail when he is sentenced on 25 June.

Royal Mail said it would only comment when the case was completed.