Keith Bell, who ran the Bishopton Road Post Office in Stockton, spent 20 years blaming himself for shortfalls on his accounts until he watched ‘Mr Bates v The Post Office’ and felt like his life was unfolding on TV.
He went from living a comfortable life to being bankrupt and even lost his new job as a driving instructor due to the criminal conviction, but has now received a £600,000 payout.
Keith told the Echo: “I got to the point when I had no money – there was nothing coming in. I tried to keep paying the mortgage but I had to declare myself bankrupt.
“I went from a way of life where I wasn’t rich but I was comfortable. That came to an end, you make do with what you can.
“It’s nice to be in the…
