THREE former Worcester postmen have admitted their part in a £6,000 expenses fraud.

Mark Adams, Wesley Chapman and David D’Amore received £974.40, £964 and £4,081.65 respectively in false travel and subsistence payments.

Prosecuting for Royal Mail at Worcester Magistrates Court, Richard Wilkes said the trio worked at Worcester City Delivery Office, in Westbury Street.

Mr Wilkes said D’Amore agreed to receive overtime payment through bogus expense claims – something he agreed was wrong.

The other two were not directly involved in making the false claims but had received payments.

Andy Childs, defending D’Amore, said a total of 16 claims were made on his behalf.

He said D’Amore, aged 30, of Gillam Street, Rainbow Hill, had repaid all but £981.45.

Adams, aged 24, of East Bank Drive, Northwick, was on leave for some of the days he had been paid for mileage.

He later admitted it had been dishonest but said he thought he deserved the money because of the “amount of graft” he had done for the company.

Chris Hilton, representing him, said: “He only did 20 miles a day and almost 700 miles were claimed for.”

Ruth Edwards, defending Chapman, said the 29-yearold, of Holland Green, Warndon Villages, had since repaid all the money.

Chairman of the bench, Paul Denham, said all of them received the money and made no effort to put the matter right.

Each was given a 12-month community order and told pay £800 in costs towards the investigation.

D’Amore must carry out 240 hours unpaid work and pay the outstanding £981.45 in compensation.

Adams must work 150 hours unpaid and pay £974.40 in compensation.

Chapman did not have to pay any compensation as he had already repaid the amount in full, but was ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work.

􀁥 Paul Savage, of East Bank Drive, Worcester, entered no plea to 12 counts of fraud by false representation.

He will reappear before Worcester magistrates on Thursday, June 23, when he is expected to be committed to crown court.