A man has been jailed after he admitted growing cannabis and intending to steal.

William Rye, formerly of Vicarage Lane, East Farleigh, pleaded guilty when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court last Monday.

The 38-year-old was arrested in May last year when police raided in an address in Marden and discovered a stash of about 50 cannabis plants.

Rye, who was released on bail, was spotted by patrols shortly after midnight a few weeks later, outside a bus stop in Tunbridge Wells.

The officers knew buses were not running at that time of night, so stopped to question to Rye and subsequently search him.

They found he was in possession of a metal crowbar, a catapult and a window hole punch tool. He was arrested on suspicion of going equipped to steal.

Rye was jailed to 18 months in prison for both crimes.

Investigating officer, DC Bob Fursey said: "This cannabis would have been worth a lot of money if it had been sold. Fortunately we have been able to destroy this cannabis, and prevent it from entering circulation in Kent.

"The suspicions of the officers in stopping to speak to Rye were well justified. We investigate burglaries when they occur, but we also seek to prevent them taking place.

"Hopefully this is what we did by arresting Rye that evening."