A man has been convicted for tying to steal a post box.

William Dennard used a hacksaw in an attempt to cut the Royal Mail box from its stand in Ringlestone Road, Hollingbourne.

A witness heard sawing coming from near the Ringlestone Inn just before midnight on July 22 and went to investigate, when he approached the scene Dennard exclaimed “f*** sake,” before getting into his car and driving off.

He was stopped by police soon after and officers found a bag of saws in his vehicle which had traces of paint from the post box on them.

They searched 48-year-old Dennard and found amphetamines on him.

Dennard, of Greenhithe, admitted both offences when he appeared at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

The court heard at the time of the incident Dennard had just split up with his wife and had issues with drugs.

Magistrates told Dennard theft from the Royal Mail was very serious but said they were willing to give him a chance.

He was ordered to pay a £160 fine, £85 costs, a £180 criminal court charge, a victim surcharge of £20 and compensation of £50. The drugs will be destroyed.