A man accused of helping escaped Kent prisoner Michael "Skull Cracker" Wheatley has been locked up.

Kevin Perry pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and handling stolen goods.

The 53-year-old was arrested after 55-year-old Wheatley failed to return to HMP Standford Hill in Eastchurch from day release in May.

Police were then called to the Chelsea Building Society in Sunbury-on-Thames after an armed raid.

Perry, of West India Dock Road, east London, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assisting an offender that will remain on file.

He was sentenced to 12 months in jail at Guildford Crown Court.

Fugitive Wheatley was serving 13 life sentences for a string of brutal raids on banks and building societies.

He earned his nickname the Skull Cracker after pistol-whipping victims during raids and usually targeted lone, elderly women.

Wheatley was given another life sentence in May after admitting the £13,000 raid on the Sunbury-on-Thames building society while being hunted by Kent Police officers.