A sub-postmaster has recalled the “devastating” impact of the Horizon IT scandal. Chhaya Patel and her husband Vinay were accused of theft from their Post Office in World’s End, Burgess Hill. Like many other victims of the scandal, they were left with life changing consequences.
In a new BBC One documentary actor Will Mellor, who plays fellow postmaster Lee Castleton in the ITV drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, spoke to five victims and their families who have been impacted. Mrs Patel described the horror of friendly customers turning cold after they were accused of taking the money. “The community spirit was there, people would always compliment on how good a job me and Vinay were doing," she said.
“We really enjoyed serving the pensioners, Vinay would be doing the morning shift and deal with the newspapers, so when they would come in he would make them a cup of coffee and knew them by their first name.” “Sorry Mrs. Patel, the error is yours you have got to make it good.
” (Image: BBC) After three to four months of having taken over the Post Office branch errors in balancing the numbers started to appear. Mrs Patel would call the Horizon system helpline to no avail – they cast the responsibility upon her to make amends for the shortfall in cash. “Sorry Mrs.
Patel, the error is yours you have got to make it good.” Is the reply she would get from the Fujitsu helpline, she became emotional when recalling trying to make things right. “Every time the error.