A post office worker stole £4,500 from the shop safe and almost £1,000 from an unassuming customer, a court has heard.

Richard Arnold, 53, was employed at the Rough Common branch when he targeted the company and a man called William Howland.

Thanet magistrates heard Mr Howland had noticed unusual withdrawals from his bank account above the £200 a week he typically withdrew from the post office.

After examining his statements, he saw there had been further withdrawals of between £250 and £500, totalling £950, and alerted police.

Arnold, of the Downings, Herne Bay, was arrested in March and further investigation revealed £4,503 was missing from the post office safe.

He denied theft by employee and fraud by abuse of position but was convicted by magistrates last Tuesday (Nov 14).

Investigating officer DS Jeff Brunger said: “Arnold abused his position when he was left in charge of running the post office.

“He showed a flagrant disregard for the trust and responsibility placed in him, not only by the post office manager, but by the customer who also became a victim of his.”

Arnold will be sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court at a later date.