0401

Evidence on official site
Memo

10" November 2005

Investigation Team Post Office Limited

c.c. Diane Matthews

ROYAL MAIL GROUP plc v HUGHIE NOEL THOMAS
CASE Ni OLTD/0506/0401

Noted. I note the circumstances which led to the apprehension of the offender
for theft / false accounting.

When apprehended for the loss of £48,000 the offender gave limited replies in
answer to questions he mainly responded “No Comment”. He suggests that the
loss may be due to problems he was experiencing with the Horizon system
These concern the number of zero entries shown against on line banking
transactions.

I understand that checks made by the Officer suggest there are no calls to the
Helpline reporting this problem.

In interview the offender was informed that checks would be made.

1 To establish that the Horizon system was working properly (I understand
this is being done) and

2 In particular to enquire whether the zero entries could have contributed
to the £48,000 loss.

I understand from the Officer that the result of these checks (at 1 and 2 above)
are awaited. Further I understand that efforts will be made to obtain the Fujitsu
records which show the underlying reason for the nil transaction.

When checking the records it may be prudent to go back to about one year being
the date the offender claims (to the Auditors) that his problems started. If it is to
be the prosecution case that the offender stole the money it will be necessary to
disprove any claims that the loss could have been attributed to the nil
transactions.

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Memo

Cont...

Once records have been obtained and enquiries completed then consideration
should be given to whether or not the Defendant should be re-interviewed and
the findings put to him. If enquiries cannot be completed by the 29" November
then I suggest that the offender is re-bailed to a later date, this could be
arranged with the Police and his Solicitors.

The file should be returned in due course, together with a report or statement
outlining the procedure for dealing with on line banking transactions.

JA McFarlane
Principal Lawyer
Criminal Law Division

Ref. CRM/251167/JMcF

criminal work folders\ncfartane juliet - crm\251167 - thomas\251 167nm1.doc

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