A WOMAN claims Royal Mail caused her boyfriend to break up with her after an empty parcel sparked a row between the pair.

Samantha Smith, from Abingdon, had ordered several items from Ebay, including golf equipment for her partner, which arrived on Friday.

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She said: “The postman handed over about six or seven parcels and I signed for them without having the chance to check them all.

“It was only when I did that I saw the one that should have had my boyfriend’s golf grips inside had already been ripped open and there was nothing inside.”

The 41-year-old says she went to Abingdon delivery office in Ock Street to complain but was told by staff nothing could be done and package would have gone through four sorting centres before reaching her.

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Unsatisfied with the response, her boyfriend also went to complain and Miss Smith says post office staff denied anything had been wrong with the packages when delivered and he should look closer to home, which she said ‘put doubts’ in his head about if she was telling the truth.

Oxford Mail:

Miss Smith said: “It meant my boyfriend couldn’t play on Saturday as they attach to the top of his clubs and he thought I could be responsible because we had argued in the past about his playing golf.

“That didn't make any sense though because I’d ordered other golf things for him that came fine.”

She added the incident had initially 'ruined' her two-year relationship, as the pair hadn't argued about the issue in months.

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Miss Smith, who has Aspergers and other medical conditions that can make it difficult for her to leave the house, added: “You expect to be able to trust what the post office are telling you but I don’t like that I have been made out to be the one in the wrong in this.”

She revealed she and her partner Richard had started talking again and were now back together, but only after he saw how seriously she had taken what happened – also going to the police to report the theft.

The Sherwood Avenue resident said it had been a stressful situation and she had not felt listened to.

She said: "The golf grips were only £33 so it wasn't the biggest amount of money but it was more the impact it had on my relationship.

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"I want to bring it to people's attention because there have been quite a few parcels delivered to the wrongs houses nearby recently so what happened to me could also happen to someone else."

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Every item we handle is important to us and we always strive to provide the best possible service to all of our customers.

“We would like to offer the customer a cheque for £50 as a gesture of goodwill, to compensate for the loss of the item. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

Police confirmed the theft had been reported to them and they were currently investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 101 quoting reference number 43190081474.