A callous fraudster who pocketed hundreds of pounds from events he pretended were raising money for a sick little boy has been jailed for more than two years.

Robert Harvey claimed he was generating cash for the four-year-old, who was born with a medical condition that needs ongoing care and specialist equipment.

But the 53-year-old, of Elmwood Road, in Chattenden, near Rochester, was actually selfishly exploiting the public's generosity to keep money for himself.

He had seen posters advertising events to raise money for the Meopham boy's care fund.

The crook then created his own posters - replacing contact numbers with his own.

Family of the young boy at first thought Harvey was helping their cause with events including raffles for which Harvey offered a top prize of a one-week caravanning holiday in Kent.

But when pressed on when he would be donating the takings to the fund, Harvey became evasive and the family called Kent Police.

When officers arrested him at home in October last year, they discovered 17 cannabis plants growing in his spare room.

Seven were matured plants in a specialist growing tent kitted out with lights, a ventilation system and electric timers.

Officers also found a fake police badge and handcuffs - which Harvey said he intended to use to make a citizen's arrest - and parking ticket envelopes which Harvey admitted he would sometimes place on friends' car windscreens as a practical joke.

Harvey was convicted of dishonestly making false representation, producing a class B drug and possessing or controlling articles to use in fraud at Maidstone Crown Court.

He was sentenced to nine months for each of the fraud charges and a further eight months for the drugs offence.

DC Kenneth Hearne, who led the investigation against Harvey, said: "When the victim's family first heard about the events Harvey had been hosting, they contacted Harvey to thank him and offer support. But it soon became apparent that Harvey had no real intention of handing over any money.

"He tried to use the boy's condition and the public's generosity to raise money for himself, with no regard for the boy's care needs or wellbeing.

"Now this matter has been resolved, the boy's family can return to the matter of supporting him. The boy is now five and Kent Police wishes him and the family all the best for the future."