A sub-postmaster who took more than £48,000 after he was left with debts has been spared a jail sentence.

Kangasunderam Prince walked free after a judge “agonised” over whether he should be sent to prison.

The 60-year-old father, of Alma Place, Strood, admitted committing fraud at the post office in Tovil,Maidstone.

He was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment suspended for two years with an alcohol treatment requirement for six months.

He was also ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and placed under a tagged curfew for four months from 8pm to 7am.

The £48,010 “shortfall” was discovered during an audit in July last year, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor William Martin said officials tried to get hold of Prince and get him to go to the post office.

They went to his home and found he was drunk and not in a fit state to be interviewed.

“He ran upstairs and lay on the bed, refusing to come down,” said Mr Martin.

“He could offer no explanation about the shortfall. He simply said he did not know why there was a shortfall. He said his financial position was not very good.”

But Tom Stern, defending, said Prince had been left thousands of pounds in debt by tenants at the adjoining shop, who had taken Lottery cash.

Prince borrowed money and then used money from the post office to try to keep the business “straight”, said Mr Stern.

“He started drinking,” he continued. “He approached his bank to remortgage the premises. Then the credit crunch hit. That line of finance he hoped would relieve him was lost.

“He put the Tovil premises on the market. The loss continues today. He wants to make it good. The premises are still on the market.”

Judge Philip St John-Stevens said the sentencing range for the offence was six weeks to 12 months custody and the damage to public confidence in the Post Office had to be considered.

After considering the sentence overnight, he said: “It is a matter I agonised over to get it correct.”

A confiscation hearing will be held.