A postman who admitted stealing mail - including children's birthday cards - faces jail.

Stuart Crayford, 38, of Winchester Way, Wantage, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and one count of intending to delay 3,503 postal items, when he was working at the Wantage Delivery Office in Church Street, between March, 2007, and April this year. He will be sentenced next month.

Didcot magistrates heard the married father-of-two had been suffering from financial problems, and temptation had got the better of him.

Emma Thacker, prosecuting, said he stole post, including 95 cards - mostly children's birthday cards - and a ruby solitaire ring worth £194.

Magistrate Jane Moreton said: "Suspicion was cast on other postal workers and it was planned over a period of time with a degree of sophistication.

"It was also a serious breach of trust. Greeting cards were targeted and it was quite unpleasant because the cards were mostly sent to children. This is so serious that custody should be considered."

A Royal Mail spokesman aid: "Instances of this nature are extremely rare.

"The actions of such individuals should not detract from the majority of our postmen and women who are honest, very hard working and committed to delivering a top quality service."