A POSTMAN’S daughter has said her dyslexic son’s birthday was ruined after a card from his grandparents reportedly arrived opened and with no money inside.

Helen Barker, 52, of Abbey Field View, Colchester, says her parents sent her 23-year-old son a birthday card with £40 inside through Royal Mail.

Enclosed in a jiffy bag, the ‘signed-for’ package was delivered three days after its ‘guaranteed’ delivery date looking a little worse for wear.

According to Helen, the padded envelope the card had been placed in was torn and the money her parents had gifted her son was nowhere to be seen.

Gazette: Upset - Helen Barker, 52, of Abbey Field View, ColchesterUpset - Helen Barker, 52, of Abbey Field View, Colchester (Image: Public)
“I was very disappointed and angry and it really put a damper on my son’s birthday,” said Helen.

“My brother is a planning manager at Royal Mail in Leicester and my father and both of my brothers have been postmen.

“But Royal Mail has lost any respect and trust we had for them.

“There are procedures that have to be followed if mail is damaged whilst in the sorting office - this issue really needs addressing.”

Helen and her family immediately reported the issue to Royal Mail who launched an investigation before denying any wrongdoing and closing the case.

Gazette: Empty - Helen's son's birthday card arrived without the £40 inside Empty - Helen's son's birthday card arrived without the £40 inside (Image: Public)
Gazette: Slashed - The birthday card was delivered inside a torn jiffy bagSlashed - The birthday card was delivered inside a torn jiffy bag (Image: Public)

What does Royal Mail say?

Bosses at Royal Mail, however, have since told the Gazette a machine at the Chelmsford sorting office has a tendency to cut open letters without explanation.

When this occurs, procedure dictates the item should be placed in a ‘damage bag’ and sealed to ease the concerns of the recipient.

But in the case of Helen’s son’s birthday card, Royal Mail has now admitted this process was not followed.

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: “It should have been placed in a damage bag as it was damaged.

“However, a damage bag was not used in this situation and points of learning have been passed.”

Helen’s upset with Royal Mail comes after frustrated residents in Colchester claimed their letters were not being delivered for weeks on end.

On that occasion Royal Mail apologised to residents and stressed it remains committed to improving the quality of its service.