A man has been sentenced by magistrates after a number of driving offences and making off without paying for petrol.

On July 10, 2014, Joseph Pearce drove a Vauxhall Corsa in High Street, Pembury, while disqualified and with no insurance.

The same day the 29-year-old, of Bowls Place, Paddock Wood, drove away without paying for £14.94 worth of fuel from a service station in the same road.

Pearce pleaded guilty to both offences at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court on April 15.

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

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

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