Making sure unlicensed operators do not carry mail

Under section 6 of the Postal Services Act 2000, Postcomm is responsible for making sure that unlicensed operators do not carry mail. The Act allows us to prosecute unlicensed operators, if necessary, and in November 2004, Deltec International Courier Ltd was found guilty on 11 counts of conveying letters without a licence. Barry Ellis, the company's managing director, was found guilty under section 120 of the Act on 11 counts of conniving in, consenting to, or being neglectful of, those offences.

Deltec and Mr Ellis were fined a total of £17,000, plus £60,000 costs at Bow Street Magistrates Court in London.