Post Office scandal victim wins £502,000 in compensation

A SUB-POSTMASTER from Gateshead has been awarded £502,000 in compensation after losing everything and being forced to “scrape by” for the past 23 years because of the Post Office scandal.

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Bob Stevenson, 81, was suspended from his position at East Fellgate Park Post Office in 2002, after a claim of a shortfall of around £10,000 was made.

He lost his business and his family home and was declared bankrupt after the suspension, claiming benefits with his wife Carol and taking up driving jobs to earn just £25 a day.

Now Mr and Mrs Stevenson have bought a two-bedroom bungalow, after living in a council house for two decades.

The initial compensation offer made to Mr Stevenson in 2023 was £51,200, and this has since been increased by 880%, with lawyers from Hudgell Solicitors, a law firm representing hundreds of sub-postmasters, saying compensation for people like Mr Stevenson has been “grossly undervalued.”