A former Metropolitan Police employee has narrowly avoided jail despite stealing £18,000 from the service.

Denise Taylor, 32, from Sporle Court, in Battersea's Winstanley Estate, pinched £18,969.14 from the Metropolitan Police Catering Department.

The theft took place between May 31, 2012, and October 16, 2012 when Taylor worked for the police.

Taylor pleaded guilty to theft by an employee at Kingston Crown Court on June 6.

She was sentenced on Thursday (July 11) and was handed an eight month jail term, suspended for 18 months.

Taylor was ordered to adhere to a curfew, meaning she must remain at her address between 10pm to 6am, and also to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

Official sentencing guidelines show the starting point for theft between £2,000-£20,000 as 18 weeks in prison, up to a maximum of 12 months in jail.