Kilwinning postman Brian Lynch admits mail theft
A postman who opened birthday cards and stole money from them is facing a jail sentence.
Brian Lynch, 30, of Kilwinning, admitted stealing mail from the town's delivery office last September.
Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard test packages were placed in his mail, several of which failed to reach their destination.
Sentence was deferred until later this month for background reports.
Postal detectives were called in after a string of complaints from customers on Lynch's route who never received greetings cards.
He was caught gambling away cash after investigators planted marked dummy mail in his sack.
Lynch was followed to a betting shop where he was seen feeding a roulette machine, while still on shift, and was found to be using marked cash.