A man has admitted stealing jewellery with a retail value of more than £2million from a garage forecourt.

Edgar Ardila Ruiz pleaded guilty to theft from a parked car at the fuel station in London Road, Wrotham, on January 18.

The 36-year-old also admitted conspiracy to steal jewellery to a value unknown on February 11, during his appearance at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday.

He was arrested along with Monica Diaz and an unnamed man as part of a police investigation by West Kent CID into a criminal gang believed to be targeting travelling salespersons who trade jewellery with stores across the country.

The court heard the jewellery thieved from the vehicle at the petrol garage had a wholesale value of around £700,000.

Arrests were made in Lancashire on February 11 following a report of suspicious behaviour involving another potential victim near Bolton.

Diaz, 43, appeared in court alongside Ruiz but she is not expected to enter her pleas until a further hearing next Monday, March 18.

Both Ruiz and Diaz, who are of no fixed address, have been remanded in custody. They were assisted in court by a Spanish interpreter.

The third suspect, a man aged 62, was arrested on February 17 and bailed with conditions, pending further enquiries, until May 17.