A postman accused of stealing thousands of letters and parcels has appeared in court.

Graham King, 47, of Easterford Road, Kelvedon, faced four charges at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

He is accused of stealing 6,541 pieces of post between November 2006 and November 2013.
One of the packets he allegedly took contained gift cards and vouchers valuing £40.

King, who worked at the delivery office in Lakes Road, Braintree, is also accused of stealing 35,538 pieces of unaddressed door-to-door mail, post which has no fixed destination, for example company advertising leaflets.

King, who began working as a postman December 2002, spoke only to confirm his name and address during Tuesday’s hearing.

The court heard some of the post was discovered in the loft of his former address and reported to Royal Mail in October 2013.