A THIEVING ex-police officer stole thousands of pounds from the post office he was running to bankroll his own failing retail business.

Sub-postmaster Graham Kent, aged 58, took more than £33,000 from the branch he was running on Windsor Drive, Chelsfield.

Kent, of Faversham Road, Seasalter, had already pleaded guilty to five counts of theft and false accounting at Croydon Crown Court.

Kent, who repaid the money to the Post Office by electronic transfer, and also handed over £1,400 in court costs, was spared jail.

He was given a 200-hour community punishment order.

Judge Timothy Stow said: "I am satisfied you genuinely intended to repay the money.

"You took it because you got into financial difficulties which you expected to remedy."

Mr Stow warned Kent if he breached the community punishment he would almost certainly face a jail term.