'Postman Pot' jailed over drugs and stolen mail  

A POSTMAN suspected of dealing drugs on his rounds has been jailed after police found a cannabis factory and thousands of stolen packages at his home.

Officers descended on Syval Morris's home in Woodcroft Avenue, Whitehall, in January and discovered hoards of undelivered post from which he'd stolen cash and gift cards and a sophisticated cannabis factory with 91 plants.

A raid on his mother's home unearthed a further cannabis factory while more stolen packages were found in vehicles belonging to him.

The previous November police had received intelligence that Morris, who had worked for Royal Mail for 13 years, was dealing drugs on his round in the Barton Hill area of the city.

Officers discovered a small amount of cannabis in his car but it was reports of a domestic incident the following January that led them to find the 35-year-old's two drugs factories in Whitehall - both capable of producing cannabis worth thousands of pounds.

They also found thousands of cards, letters and parcels he had failed to deliver, 326 of which he had opened in a bid to find cash or gift vouchers. In addition there were thousands of door-to-door leaflets the Royal Mail are paid to deliver by businesses such as Domino's Pizza.

Police went to the home of Morris's mother and brother and found another cannabis factory, which he kept secret from his family.

After admitting possessing cannabis with intent to supply, growing cannabis, theft, and failing to deliver post Morris appeared to be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court.

Morris, now of Whitehall Road, Whitehall, also admitted an attempted burglary in Bryants Hill, St George, in April and assaulting a police officer during his arrest.

The court heard he had started to go off the rails last year when a relationship broke down and the stress of that and being overworked led him to smoke more cannabis.

Jailing Morris for a total of three years, Recorder David Evans told him: "This is a very sad case because you are 35, you have no significant criminal history, and you had a good job as a postman for many years.

"Before these offences came to light there was no indication that you were anything other than a decent man and you have, through your own actions, thrown that all away.

"You were in a position that requires the highest levels of integrity. You are entrusted with what people wish to send privately to each other and it may be valuable."

Andrew Banks, prosecuting for the Royal Mail, said Morris was suspended in February and had now lost his job. He said the Royal Mail investigation had unearthed thousands of undelivered packages and leaflets going back as far as eight months.

Katie Jenkins, defending, said her client had become stressed by work and the breakdown of his relationship.

"These offences were all completely out of character and he is genuinely remorseful," she said.

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk 20/09/13