A Paddock Wood man has been handed a suspended prison sentence, a five year driving ban and a number of fines for driving offences.

On July 10 Joseph Pearce, of Bowls Place, drove a Vauxhall Corsa in the Pembury area while he was disqualified and without insurance - he also drove away without paying from a fuel station.

He pleaded guilty to both offences and was sentenced at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court on April 15.

The offences took place on the same day, where the 29-year-old put £14.94 worth of fuel in the vehicle and fled from a service station in High Street, Pembury.

Magistrates sentenced Pearce to 140 days in prison, suspended for 18 months, and disqualified him from driving for five years.

He was also ordered to take part in a Thinking Skills programme, and fined £700.

Pearce must also pay £20 in compensation, £500 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.