A man accused of attacking police officers after being challenged over not wearing a mask at Bluewater is barred from the shopping centre until July 2022 - when he will face trial for the offence.

Sam Francis appeared at Maidstone Crown Court today wearing a black mask to enter his pleas to assault charges.

The 30-year-old from Slades Drive, Chislehurst, is also facing a hearing in the magistrates' court on March 24 for not wearing a mask during the pandemic.

He has denied two charges of assaulting police officers PS Corwell and PC Carter, on Saturday, September 12, and damaging an officer's watch, valued at £179.

Because of the backlog in cases brought about by Covid-19, his two day trial can't be heard before July 2022.

The charge of not wearing a face mask will be held at Medway Magistrates’ Court on March 24 next year.

He was re-admitted to bail with the condition that he is not to enter Bluewater Shopping Centre.

Judge Julian heard Francis will claim he had forgotten his mask and had agreed to leave the Marks and Spencer store at Bluewater when the incident happened.

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