A hearing is taking place to establish if a former Norfolk sub-postmaster and his estranged wife stole �76,000 from a post office they used to run.

Robert Humphrey, 52, and his estranged wife Jacqueline, 42, both worked at Bradwell Post Office and both have admitted stealing cash, but are in dispute over the amount the Post Office claims is missing.

The Post Office insists the amount is about �76,000, but Robert Humphrey is disputing this so a hearing is being held to establish how much was stolen before the couple are sentenced. The severity of the sentence will depend on the amount stolen.

Previously the couple both admitted theft from Royal Mail from April 2006 until April 2008.

The hearing is expected to last two days although Jacqueline Humphrey is too ill to attend. The case is still going ahead in her absence with her barrister Peter Glenser present.

Sarah Selby, prosecuting, said that the loss of more than �76,000 was discovered following an audit on April 1, 2008. She said Robert Humphrey stole the cash by falsifying post office takings and stock levels.

She said his wife also helped herself to money from the till and when he realised that was occurring, he took steps to cover up that money.

Kevin Watkins, an auditor for Post Office Counters, told how he had been called in to check the accounts on April 1, 2008, and had found the discrepancies. He said when he asked Robert Humphrey if he could explain about the missing money, he had replied that he had no explanation.

The hearing is due to continue today.

Following the thefts, Bradwell Post Office suddenly closed. The Post Office has reopened at Premier Convenience Store in Church Lane.