A postman who was dismissed after being accused of stealing mail has won his case for unfair dismissal.
David Mitchell, a postman at the Cupar delivery office, had been accused of stealing a greetings card with cash and gift vouchers inside, despite bosses having no clear evidence against him.
The 57-year-old was sacked last December, but Royal Mail has been ordered to reinstate him.
In his findings, employment judge Ian McFatridge said: “The employer did not have reasonable grounds on which to sustain their belief in the claimant’s guilt.
“There were simply insufficient grounds to come to that view. It therefore follows that the decision to dismiss is unfair.”
Royal Mail launched an investigation last summer after an unusually high number of missing cards was reported from the Cupar office.
The firm’s security investigator, Colin Binnie, placed four test cards within the postal system, with one from Mr Mitchell’s route not returned.
Following further surveillance, Mr Mitchell was taken from his round to the delivery office where he was personally searched, with no trace of any missing items found.
Further searches of his van, personal car and home also proved negative, but Mr Mitchell was still dismissed after 27 years of service.
Royal Mail has said it will seek a reconsideration of the verdict and added that the company has a zero-tolerance approach to dishonesty.
“The safety and security of mail is of the utmost importance to this business,” it added.