A FORMER Bradwell subpostmaster and his estranged wife were warned they could face jail after conceding that the amount stolen from their post office was �76,000 as the Post Office had always maintained.

A FORMER Bradwell subpostmaster and his estranged wife were warned they could face jail after conceding that the amount stolen from their post office was �76,000 as the Post Office had always maintained.

A two-day hearing at Norwich Crown Court was held this week after Robert Humphrey, 52, who is charged with stealing the cash along with his estranged wife Jacqueline, 42, had disputed the amount the Post Office claimed was missing.

But after hearing from experts who have studied the Post Office accounts it was agreed that the figure was �76,000.

Sentencing was adjourned until December 17 and Judge Alasdair Darroch warned that all options would be open.

The hearing went ahead with only Robert Humphrey as Jacqueline Humphrey was too ill to attend; but she was legally represented.

Earlier this week, the court heard Sarah Selby, prosecuting, describe how 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 added 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, had 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.

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

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