A SECURITY worker employed to empty parking meters yesterday admitted helping himself to almost £130,000 in coins from the machines.

Bryn Lynas is now facing jail after his scheme was uncovered by his bosses.

The 47-year-old plundered machines in the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council area for two years before he was caught.

When arrested in May last year, Lynas said: "I've got a bag full of money on my back seat."

Police searched his vehicle and found a bag containing more than £500 in the footwell of the Renault Megane.

Lynas was interviewed and admitted taking cash from the machines, but said he had been doing it for only ten months.

Inquiries revealed that his partner, Susan Shaw, also 47, had received £23,655 in her bank account from Lynas.

She was arrested for a money laundering offence, but the charges were dropped yesterday.

Lynas admitted the theft of £128,301 between January 2004 and May last year, and money laundering between June 2004 and last May.

His case was adjourned until next month for reports.

Lynas, from Ormesby, Middlesbrough, was bailed by the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox.

Police will also start action under the Proceeds of Crime Act to claw back any of the money Lynas still has.

Lynas was employed by Group 4 Securicor Cash Services, which was contracted by the borough council to empty parking meters.

An audit last year revealed that cash was being taken from the machines at the time of collection and tens of thousands of pounds was missing.

Lynas was arrested at his works depot in Thornaby, near Stockton, on May 18, and immediately confessed.

He admitted stealing hundreds of pounds that day and directed police to a bag of silver and £1 coins in his car.

Ms Shaw was also arrested, but during two interviews she denied knowing where the money paid into her account had come from.

In her second interview, Ms Shaw said she was suspicious about the origin of the £23,655 and had challenged Lynas about it. He is said to have told her "I've had a good month", but she told police: "I thought he meant from car boot sales."

Last night, The Northern Echo approached Lynas at his home in Alderwood Close.

He declined to comment about the case, but said: "It's not over yet. Maybe I'll speak about it in September."

Council leader George Dunning said the contract for cash collecting was now carried out by a different company.

Dave McLuckie, the cabinet member for community protection, praised the council and police for catching Lynas.

The officer in charge of the case, Detective Constable Owen Watson, said: "We worked closely with the council to solve this case. There was clear evidence that the couple were living beyond their means and had been for some time."

The Northern Echo understands that the household had three cars at the time of Lynas' arrest - a new Fiat Punto, the Megane and a £1,000 Mini.

It is thought Lynas also used some of the stolen money for home improvements and to pay for golf club membership.

Ms Shaw pleaded not guilty to money laundering at Teesside Crown Court yesterday and prosecutors offered no evidence against her.

Group 4 Securicor was unavailable for comment.