A MAN has been accused of thefts totalling more than £26,000 at his brother's sub-post office.

It is further alleged that Riyaz Patel went on to confess the crime to investigating officers, taking full responsibility for what had happened.

The 26-year-old of Shear Brow, Blackburn, is on trial at Preston Crown Court on 29 counts of theft, which he denies.

The alleged offences cover a period from March 16 to October 5, 2000 and surround the Cop Lane sub-post office at Penwortham, near Preston.

His brother was sub-postmaster and his sister also worked at the premises.

John Gibson, prosecuting on behalf of the Post Office, said that a check found a discrepancy over £26,000 the sub-post office claimed to have paid out. There was no legitimate explanation for this.

The shortfall related to the amounts the sub-post office stated it had paid out and benefits vouchers sent to a DSS department in Northern Ireland.

The defendant, his brother and sister were seen by officers from the Post Office.

Patel said his brother and sister were responsible for checking vouchers and that he had no idea why there should be such a large shortfall.

But in a second interview Patel is alleged to have become distressed, saying he had brought shame on his family and had lied in his first interview.

He admitted taking the money and that he alone had been responsible.

Mr Gibson told the jury: "The prosecuting say it was a consistent and deliberate pattern of abuse of the system, allowing for the theft of money from the Post Office."

(Proceeding)