A “brazen” man has been jailed after admitting to handling a stolen vehicle.

On July 8 last year, police were contacted after the driver of a white Range Rover was seen abandoning the car in the Hawley area.

He got out of the vehicle shortly after noon that day before leaving on a moped.

The car was found to have been stolen from Higham that morning, and it was recovered and returned to its owner.

An investigation led to Ben Gardiner, from Wallis Park in Northfleet, being arrested on February 9 in connection with the theft. He was charged later the same day.

The 20-year-old appeared before Woolwich Crown Court on Wednesday, March 12 where he pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods.

He also admitted stealing items worth more than £100 from the Co-op in Longfield in September last year.

Gardiner was sentenced to one year in prison and ordered to pay a £187 surcharge.

PC Dave Gillham said: “We take all reports of vehicle crime very seriously and will always strive to bring perpetrators before the courts.

“Brazen offenders such as Gardiner need to understand this and know of the consequences they will face when they are convicted.”