A pomegranate courier who was caught with more than fruit in his lorry has been jailed for more than two and a half years.

Police officers found Ismail Yilmaz helping four people get out the vehicle in Folkestone, shortly after he arrived in the country.

The officers spotted the lorry in Cheriton Road while on patrol, and saw several people trying to climb out of the trailer.

As well as carrying a large load of pomegranates, the lorry contained four people who Yilmaz had smuggled into the country.

The 44-year-old was arrested at the scene, and text messages on his phone showed he had agreed to transport the people in exchange for a large sum of money.

The incident happened on the morning of Tuesday October 22.

Yilmaz, of no fixed address, admitted doing an act to facilitate the commission of a break of UK immigration law.

He was sentenced to two years and eight months in jail at Canterbury Crown Court on Wednesday 22 January 22.

Detective Sergeant Dan Barker, senior investigating officer for the case, said: "Yilmaz knowingly and willingly helped four people travel to the United Kingdom in appalling conditions.

"Despite knowing the dangers the people in the lorry were being subjected to, he saw their efforts to get to the UK as a means to make a substantial sum of money.

"I am pleased he has been brought to justice, which is in no small part due to the vigilance and quick actions of our patrols."

To get the latest updates on ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone