A SCOTRAIL worker stole thousands of pounds from a train station after he made a copy of a key and broke in.

Ian Cunningham, 60, of New Road in Glenboig, pleaded guilty to theft by opening lockfast place at Glasgow Sheriff Court on March 6.

He was sentenced to 280 hours of unpaid work and a six month restriction of liberty order at the same court on April 3.

Cunningham was employed by Scotrail and, on February 25 last year, left work with the safe key to Garrowhill station in his possession.

He then went to a key cutting shop and got the key copied.

That night, Cunningham broke into the station, stole £2,499.90 from within the safe and took £150 from staff lockers.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Neil Adams said: “Cunningham breached his position of trust stealing from colleagues and members of public who had handed money over to him.

“I am pleased the accused will be doing a substantial amount of unpaid work to give back to the community.”