A former Gravesend police officer burgled his lover's home and stole almost £20,000 to pay off loan sharks.

Married Christopher Sims, who was a beat patrol officer for Kings Farm, entered his mistress's Gravesend home and stole the cash.

The 27-year-old, of Highview, Vigo, told a court he used the money to pay off loan sharks who had threatened his wife and two children.

He admitted burgling the house in The Avenue, Gravesend, on March 3 this year when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court.

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