HOUSEHOLDERS expressed their relief after a man was found guilty of delaying the delivery of 5,277 items of post.

Bradley Bottone, 23, of Ancona Road, Plumstead, who worked at the Royal Mail’s Court Yard sorting office, in Eltham, was sentenced to 70 hours community service.

News Shopper readers from across Eltham welcomed the news and hoped their post would return to normal.

Readers inundated our offices with complaints about post which arrived late after we reported last month an inquiry was under way at the Eltham office amid allegations of delayed delivery.

One employee was suspended.

Mum Chris Reeves, 40, of North Park, Eltham, said: “You just wonder how it slipped through the net. I’m amazed how much mail was allowed to be affected.

“The worst thing was Royal Mail appeared to just ignore your complaints. I am glad the problem seems to be sorted out.” Marco Berry, 85, of Bexley Road, Eltham, welcomed the news and said: “I am very pleased this has happened. It was a rotten situation.” Lea Fitzgerald, of Briset Road, Eltham, said: “I am pleased. This is quite a relief to me. I am hoping the problem will now stop.” Bottone pleaded guilty to intending to delay 5,277 postal packets when he appeared at South Western Magistrates’ Court, Lavender Hill, Battersea, on May 23.

Royal Mail declined to comment.