A company that collected and delivered mail without a licence, and its managing director, were fined a total of £17,000, plus £60,000 costs at Bow Street Magistrates Court, London, last week. In the first prosecution of its type brought by Postcomm, the industry regulator, Deltec International Courier Ltd was convicted on all 11 counts on which it was charged under section 6 of the Postal Services Act 2000 for conveying letters without a licence.
The company convicted Barry Ellis, the managing director, on 11 counts under section 120 of the Act for conniving in, consenting to or being neglectful of the offences.
Nigel Stapleton, chairman of Postcomm, said: “Prosecution isn’t an activity we take lightly. In this case Deltec was made aware on a number of occasions that it required a licence and chose to act outside the law.
Protecting mail integrity through licensing is a vital safeguard for customers as we open up the market. All legitimate operators must have licences, and we will take firm action against anybody who deliberately operates without one.”
Notes for editors
Postcomm – the Postal Services Commission – is an independent regulator. It has been set up to further the interests of users of postal services. Postcomm’s main tasks are to:
-
Seek to ensure a universal postal service at an affordable uniform tariff
-
Further the interests of users wherever appropriate through competition
-
License postal operators
Control Royal Mail’s prices and quality of service Postcomm’s policies are steered by a board of seven commissioners, headed by the chairman, Nigel Stapleton. More details are on Postcomm’s website, www.postcomm.gov.uk.
More information
Chris Webb T 020 7593 2114 M 07779 635881 chris.webb@psc.gov.uk.
Give advice to government on the future of the post office network
