Postman admits hiding, dumping mail

LONDON, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- A transsexual English postman admits to hiding or disposing of mail because teenagers on his West Yorkshire route were taunting and throwing stones at him.

Michael Pearson, 43, said he got rid of the mail in an effort to shorten his route, The Daily Mail reported Saturday.

The married father of one appeared in Dewsbury Magistrates Court in a dress and high heels, but said he wears a unisex uniform. He said the youths on his route noticed his shaped eyebrows and began taunting him and throwing stones, the Daily Mail said. He admitted to hiding 234 pieces of mail at home and dumping another 29. He said it was mostly junk mail.

Pearson was sentenced to a four-month suspended jail term and 150 hours of community work, the newspaper reported.

Outside court, Pearson apologized to the Royal Mail for his behavior, The Daily Mail said.

"I am so sorry for what I have done and for blackening their name. I did not do anything maliciously," he said. "My life was being made hell and I could not cope with it. I believe the attacks made me slide into a kind of depression."

Pearson is on a National Health Service waiting list for a sex change operation.