A former postman has been conditionally discharged for two years for breaching the oath he took on taking the job when he failed to deliver 111 registered letters.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli heard how Marco Formosa, who was a postman with Maltapost, kept the letters - but did not open them - between October 2003 and February 2004.

Mr Formosa explained that he kept the letters because he was having personal problems and felt he could not cope with the workload. On hearing this the magistrate ruled that, if Mr Formosa felt he could not cope, he should have brought up the matter with his superiors at work.

The magistrate also heard how Mr Formosa had undergone disciplinary proceedings at work and eventually lost his job.

After hearing the evidence the magistrate took note of the fact that Mr Formosa had personal problems at the time, that he did not open the letters and also noted that his criminal record was "almost clean".

She found him guilty of the charge and conditionally discharged him for two years.

Police Inspector Joseph Agius prosecuted.