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From: Clive Burton[CN=Clive Burton/OU=e/O=POSTOFFICE]
Sent: Sat 27/03/2004 11:26:37 AM (UTC)
To: Jim Cruise[CN=Jim Cruise/OU=e/O=I POSTOFFICE.
Subject: Re: MRS KERI ANN PUGH FORMER SUBPOSTMISTRESSCHIRBURY POST OFFICE - FAD
CODE: 296/641
Jim,
Please see the attached response concerning the final audit at Chirbury (nb this was actually a surplus not a shortage as
stated below).
Also, regarding the Defence's point that certain Cash Accounts aren't signed and datestamped - I notice from our records
that the original Cash Accounts submitted to Chesterfield were no longer available and, I understand, that the cash
accounts and other documents sent to Keith Legge in August 2003 were actual Office copies and, perhaps, this explains
why they were not signed/datestamped.
Regards
Clive W. Burton
Agents Debt 3/ Former Sub Postmasters Accounts
No 1 Future Walk
CHESTERFIELD
Derbyshire
S49 1PF
Emlyn Hughes
24/03/2004 15:21 Burton/e/POSTOFFIC!
Subject: Re: MRS KERI ANN PUG
FORMER SUBPOSTMISTRESS
CHIRBURY POST OFFICE - FAD CODE: 296/641
Clive
To see response from Audits.
Regards
Emlyn
ad Forwarded by Emlyn Hughes/e/POSTOFFICE on 24/03/2004 15:20 -—--
Glyn Burrows
24/03/2004 14:24 To: Emlyn
Hughes/e/POST OFFICE
Rob
Bolton/e/POSTOFFIC! j
Subject: Re: MRS KERI ANN PUt
FORMER SUBPOSTMISTRESS
CHIRBURY POST OFFICE - FAD CODE: 296/641
Emlyn
We audited Chirbury on 31st August 2001, the audit was performed by Andy Speak who has since taken EVR. Our
records show that the branch was closed with a shortage of £9601.11being declared and forwarded to Late Account on
the 31st August and then transferred on 3rd September so thats why the date on the final account shows the 3rd
September. Having discussed the case with Rob Bolton neither of us have ever heard of Janice Holmes.
Hope this helps.
Glyn
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Emlyn Hughes
23/03/2004 08:44 Burrows/e/POSTOFFICEt _
Subject: MRS KERI ANN PUGH F
SUBPOSTMISTRESS
CHIRBURY POST OFFICE - FAD CODE: 296/641
Glyn - Given Michael is currently absent on annual leave, are you able to assist us with the under-noted query.
Many thanks
Emlyn
----- Forwarded by Emlyn Hughes/e/POSTOFFICE on 23/03/2004 08:43 -----
Emlyn Hughes .
. Camplejohn/e/POSTOFFICE.,,.
22/03/2004 10:55 Patel/e/POSTOFFICEt¢ GRO }, Michael
Dadra/e/POSTOFFICE, I GRO. =, Audrey
Lindleyle/POSTOFFICEt GF
Subject: MRS KERI ANN PUGH F
SUBPOSTMISTRESS
CHIRBURY POST OFFICE - FAD CODE: 296/641
Hope you can assist with this please. Unfortunately date for exchange of witness statements is set for 22nd
April.
Jill,can you please assist with the request for call logs in respect of any requests for assistance made by the former Spmr
as well as confirming whether the telephone was reported as cut off between Feb and June 2001.
Manish, are you in a position to assist with a response to any of the points below.
Michael,Audrey,who can assist please with details/findings of audit and any statement as requested below.Is a Janice
Holmes still with Audits
Many thanks for your assistance.
----- Forwarded by Emlyn Hughes/e/POSTOFFICE on 22/03/2004 10:32 -----
Angela Van-Den- .
Bogerd Hughes/e/POSTOFFICE.
cc:
20/03/2004 22:16 Subject: MRS KERI ANN PUGH F
SUBPOSTMISTRESS
CHIRBURY POST OFFICE - FAD CODE: 296/641
Emlyn,
Could you please deal.
Thanks,
Angela.
—_ Forwarded by Angela Van-Den-Bogerd/e/POSTOFFICE on 20/03/2004 22:16 -----
Clive Burton To: Angela Van-Den-
49/03/2004 16:41 Bogend/e/POSTOFFICE@POSTOFFICE
Subject: MRS KERI ANN PUGH F
SUBPOSTMISTRESS
CHIRBURY POST OFFICE - FAD CODE: 296/641
Angela,
Mrs Pugh was sub postmistress at Chirbury Post Office from 21 April 1999 to 3 September 2001 when
her Contract for Services was suspended.
The final audit of accounts resulted in a deficiency of £9,601.11 but many error notices were later issued
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which increased the overall debt to £31,128.18.
The question of recovery of this debt has been referred to Jim Cruise of our Legal Services Department
to pursue the debt on our behalf.
A case Management Conference was heard on the 8th January 2004 and the Court has ordered an
exchange of witness statements by 22nd April 2004 with a further Case Management Conference
scheduled Thusday 13th May 2004 at Welshpool County Court.
Our Legal Services Department have asked us to prepare a number of statements regarding various
accounting errors that form part of the debt and we are in the process of preparing these.
However, there are a number of other issues that our Legal Dept require clarification and statements are
needed regarding the final audit and the PO accounting system.
It would be very much appreciated if you could provide any assistance with the following items or perhaps
advise who the best person(s) is/are to contact regarding them:-
(1) the Defence alleges that the introduction of the Horizon system itself caused problems and evidence
is needed about the training given to Mrs Pugh and, if possible, evidence of the call logs to show
whether Mrs Pugh was seeking help in relation to the operation of the system.
(2) it is said that the telephone link was cut between February and June 2001 and our Solicitors are
asking if this could be confirmed if at all possible.
(3) our Solicitors would like a statement about the closure of the Office on 31st August 2001 and what
happened on the day and what documents were taken away and why. The final cash account is in fact
dated 3rd September 2001 and an explanation is needed for the difference in dates. The names of people
who were present at the audit is also requested (it would seem as though the name of Janice Holmes has
been mentioned at some point in time as being the duty manager for the audit - could this be confirmed
and, if so, does she still work for PO Ltd.
(4) a general statement is required as to how the accounting system works at a sub post office and how
the documents are created. The Defence make reference to PO Limited's documents being self created
and our Sols would like to explain how the system works. If a short report could be prepared our
Solicitors will prepare a statement from that report.
Many Thanks!
Regards
Clive W. Burton
Agents Debt 3/ Former Sub Postmasters Accounts
No 1 Future Walk
CHESTERFIELD
Derbyshire
S49 1PF