Child rapist allowed to deliver post to schools and businesses in Prestwich and Whitefield 'because of admin error'

Andrew Horrocks was given a job with Whistl, delivering post to schools and businesses, after he had been released from prison.

Horrocks was jailed for 12 years in 2007, after being convicted of four counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault against a five-year-old girl.

He was given a job at the firm's sorting depot in Sedgley Park, in Prestwich, but the firm say they were not aware of the full details of his conviction.

Horrocks, aged 35, formerly of Ince, Wigan, has now been sacked, and the firm has launched an internal investigation and a review of its 3,000 delivery staff.

He was convicted after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court, during which it emerged that Horrocks had abused the same five-year-old girl in a seven month period, from January 2006 to August of that year.

The nature of the conviction was brought to light following a tip-off from another member of staff.

The firm, which was formerly known as TNT Post UK and has since been rebranded as Whistl following the separation of TNT Group, said it conducted a Criminal Record Bureau check on Horrocks, which confirmed he had a conviction, but that information was not passed on when he was recruited.

A spokesman for Whistl said: "Andrew Horrocks was employed as a delivery operative by the company in autumn 2013.

"He was subject to a CRB check and the ongoing associated mail integrity code of practice for the delivery of mail.

"He had declared an unspent conviction and, due to an unacceptable administrative error, the conviction was not highlighted.

"As soon as we became aware of the conviction, we met with Mr Horrocks and agreed to terminate his employment.

"We are currently undergoing a thorough review of the existing paperwork for delivery personnel and recruitment processes to ensure that this is an isolated incident.

"We are distressed that this situation has arisen as we aim to work to the very highest standards."