A convicted killer from Maidstone has been sentenced for stealing £800 from a charity shop.

Kenneth Harman, who was convicted of the manslaughter of his partner five years ago, was arrested after a break-in at the Children's Trust store in Gabriels Hill.

The 60-year-old, of Hayle Road, was sentenced to 120 days' imprisonment - suspended for 18 months - after admitting burglary and theft at Maidstone Magistrates' Court.

He has been given a four-month curfew, from 8pm to 8am, and must pay the shop £700 compensation.

Magistrates heard he used a back entrance to get inside the charity shop before escaping with £700 in cash and a further £100 in goods, including jewellery, ornaments and clothing, on December 2.

He also stole a salt and pepper set and an alarm clock, worth a combined £70, from the Grange Moor Hotel, in St Michael's Road, where he was living at the time.

Daniel Bonich, defending, said the crime was committed out of desperation due to a lack of money and Harman did not initially know his target was a charity store.

Harman, who receives £120 in benefits a week, will make fortnightly compensation payments of £10 to the store.

Magistrate Peter Bolton decided not to impose costs or a victim surcharge because of Harman's limited financial means.

In December 2008, Harman was found guilty of the manslaughter of his partner, 61-year old Michael Castle, and jailed to four-and-a-half years.

Mr Castle died from a single stab wound in February that year and was found dead in a boat the couple lived in, which was moored in Tonbridge.

A 17-year-old boy from Sevenoaks was arrested in Maidstone on December 3 and also charged with the Children's Trust burglary. His trial is due to take place at Maidstone Magistrates Court on March 14.