A NEWBRIDGE sub-postmaster admitted stealing more than £35,000 from the Post Office.

Clive Lewis, 48, of Central Avenue, Newbridge, appeared in Cardiff crown court yesterday having previously pleaded guilty to stealing £37,606.15, from the Post Office.

Prosecutor Richard Cole told the court, Lewis became sub-postmaster of the Pant post office in April 2007, and also ran a retail business from the premises, which was legally separate from the post office.

The court heard that all post offices use a computerised accounting system and must produce trade statements detailing the amount of cash and stock kept onsite.

Mr Cole said an audit was carried out at the Pant post office on April 7 this year and during the audit Lewis told inspectors that the cash would be short in the region of £35,000.

The court heard the defendant had “inflated” the amount of money he said was kept on site in the trade statements in an attempt to cover up the theft.

Lewis was interviewed and admitted paying the money into his account.

Mr Cole said Lewis originally intended to pay the money back, but he had got into the situation where he was unable to pay his bills and mortgage and began stealing money from the post office in January 2008.

The court heard Lewis filed for bankruptcy on September 21 this year.

Representing Lewis, Jeffrey Jones said repayment was not possible at the moment as Lewis was having to sell the property where the business had been based.

Mr Jones said: “He is in that very awkward position that if he had the ability and his willingness would be to repay. The realisation of what a difficult position he is in today has only been made by him today.”

Judge Christopher Vosper adjourned sentencing until January, while counsel determine how the money will be repaid.