An actor, who starred in the hit film The Hatton Garden Job, has been given a 40 month prison sentence for a drug conspiracy.

Ross Harland was caught after being spotted handing over half a kilo of cocaine in Marsh Street, Strood.

The 34-year-old has spent more than two years awaiting sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court.

Now Harland, who also appeared in films The Newspaper and Bonded By Blood, is now expected to be immediately released as he would serve only half of the 40 month sentence.

He admitted one charge of conspiracy involving cocaine with a street value of £750,000 after the judge said that he was a "runner" when he was arrested in April 2020.

Harland, of Station Road, Strood, and Billy Peters, of Eltham Green Road, Eltham both admitted the Class A drugs conspiracy.

Prosecutor Bridget Todd said: "The drug exchange took place between the two men on April 28 2020. Police officers attended an underground car park in Marsh Street, Strood.

"On arrival they saw Peters walking away from the driver's side of a Ford Transit van carrying a black rucksack over his shoulder.

"Harland was the driver of the van and police found a clear plastic bag next to the driver's seat containing a block of cocaine. Peters was then stopped standing next to a motorbike and in his rucksack he had approximately £18,000 in cash."

Ms Todd said Harland was then living in a flat above the car park and officers found a number of clip-seal bags in a kitchen and small bags containing white powder.

The court heard how police took away two of his phones and discovered the codeword "Colgate" which was used to make the drugs arrangement.

Craig Evans, for Harland, revealed that when he was arrested the actor gave the police his flat keys because he had left an electric heater on and feared a fire.

Police went inside and found all the evidence of the deal taking place showing his "naivety", he added.

Judge Robert Lazarus said the two were "fish out of water" and Harland agreed to do the deal for £500 to help with his debts while working as a welder.

He added: "I have been told that he was short of money and finding it difficult to get work...including that of being an actor."