A thief who stole cash and gift cards from parcels has avoided jail.

Disgraced Kirk Wilcock stole 464 packages from Royal Mail between August 2019 and June 2020.

The 42-year-old worked as a postman for 22 years.

Wilcock pleaded guilty when he appeared before magistrates in North Kent charged with three offences.

The first charge Wilcock admitted was the theft of 460 postal packets containing greeting cards, cash and gift cards, to the value of £1,080.

He also admitted using five JD Sports gift cards for payment of goods in the sum of £64.99 on May 25, 2020 in Rochester.

Finally, Wilcock pleased guilty to stealing four postal packets containing greeting cards, £20 in cash and a gift card on June 30, 2020.

Wilcock, of Cliffe Woods, in Kent was given a six month jail sentence, suspended for 24 months.

He will have to carry out unpaid work for 250 hours within the next twelve months.

He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £205 and £1,080 in compensation.