A POSTMAN dumped 200 packages in a recycling bin and in the boot of his car because he felt unwell.

Christopher Feeney, of Mansel Street, Springburn, was working as a postal operator on February 5 last year when began to feel ill.

Instead of continuing his route, he disposed of hundreds of packets in a recycling bin on Petershill Road in Springburn.

A concerned member of the public spotted the packages and reported it to the Royal Mail.

When another employee went out to the recycling bin mentioned, they found packets dated for delivery on the same day of the incident by Feeney.

The 27-year-old was approached by an investigations manager and was invited to be interviewed regarding the findings.

Feeney initially indicated that he had always delivered packets correctly but later admitted that on one occasion he had left items in a recycling bin.

He denied stealing any packages that he was entrusted to deliver.

The Springburn-man stated that he had been feeling unwell on the day in question and disposed of the packets after panicking about losing his job.

His employers reported the incident to police.

Feeney appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to failing to deliver a quantity of packets of intended destinations and depositing a quantity of mail into a recycling bin and in the boot of his car.

His defence agent told the court that his client made a ‘panicked’ decision to dump the packets as he felt unwell but did not want to lose his job.

He has since been let go from the position.

The sentencing Sheriff said: “It is important that the public have confidence in the postal service” and ordered Feeney to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work in six months as a direct alternative to a custodial sentence.

Julie Pirone, Royal Mail spokeswoman, said: “ It is a criminal offence to tamper with or delay the delivery of mail and anyone caught doing so will face serious disciplinary measures and Royal Mail will always seek to prosecute the tiny minority of people who abuse their position of trust.”