A 53-year-old man has been charged after allegedly firing a catapult at a pursuing police officer.

At around 3.45am on Sunday, patrols were called to a report a shed had been broken into in Lavender Hill, Swanley.

A man was identified during a search of the area and chased on foot by an officer, helped by two members of the public.

He was eventually detained nearby and arrested.

It is alleged a catapult had been fired during the pursuit, and before police arrived the weapon had also been used to cause criminal damage to a property.

On Monday, Alfie Rossiter, 53, of Reeves Crescent, Swanley, was charged with three counts of assault, possession of an offensive weapon, criminal damage, burglary and two public order offences, which included homophobic abuse aimed at an officer.

He was also charged with several offences in connection to unrelated incidents last Friday which include allegations he stole a television from Asda in London Road, as well as abusing and assaulting witnesses.

It is further alleged the suspect was driving while disqualified and took a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent.

Rossiter appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court yesterday and was remanded in custody.

His next hearing will be at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday, December 20.