Birthday cards ripped open as intruder targets Paisley Royal Mail hub

Andrew Mack admitted he broke into the Royal Mail depot on Paisley’s Underwood Road on July 13, 2024.

The 40-year-old rummaged through letters and parcels looking for cash in birthday cards. 

Mack, of Inchinnan Road in the town, tampered with 26 parcels and letters, with a further 20 suspected of being tampered with. 

Procurator fiscal depute Decla O’Connor told Paisley Sheriff Court: “Between 6am and 7am on Saturday, July 13, 2024, Kimberley Sutherland and James Walker were working within the building.

“At this time, the accused entered Ms Sutherland's office unannounced. 

“Ms Sutherland was confused as to how the accused gained access to the office due to her office being situated within the staff warehouse where no members of the public should have access. 

“Due to the accused gaining unauthorised access, he was immediately escorted out of the building.

“A short time later, Mr Walker observed the accused loitering at the front of the building.

“During the morning of July 15, 2024, Mr Walker was processing deliveries and noticed that a shelf of parcels was missing. 

“Shortly after, Mr Walker entered one of the staff cupboards with another colleague and noticed that multiple letters and parcels had been ripped open.”

The court heard this was reported and an internal investigation was launched. 

The Underwood Road depot is the sorting office and depot for all packages and mail correspondence that is distributed within Renfrewshire. 

Ms O’Connor added: “On July 16, 2024, Mr Walker noted the door to be insecure and damaged like it had been forced open.

“There was damage to the Yale lock, which he knew had not been damaged in previous days.

“Police were contacted.

“It was confirmed by Mr Walker they had carried out an audit on letters and parcels damaged within and confirmed the figure of 26 items had been tampered with and believed that another 20 could have been tampered with.

“Most of these items were letters and birthday cards.

“Mr Walker believes the accused was searching for any money that may have been located within the cards; however, it could not be established if any contents were taken and what the monetary value amounted to.”

Defence agent Paul Lynch asked for background reports to be prepared. 

Sheriff Bruce Erroch KC adjourned sentencing for a criminal justice social work report. 

Mack will return to court for sentencing next month.