A man has appeared in court after he was charged with dangerous driving after a police officer was injured during a routine stop and search in Gravesend.

David Seal, 32, was charged with the driving offence and causing actual bodily harm after an incident on the town's one-way system during the early hours of yesterday morning.

The father of three, of Peacock Street, appeared before magistrates in Medway via virtual-link from a police station this afternoon.

It is understood PC Matthew Hooper was injured as the car was driven along The Terrace.

He suffered severe bruising to his legs and a scratch to his arm during the incident, which saw a large part of Gravesend's one-way system was closed for most of yesterday morning.

The officer was taken for hospital treatment, but has since been released.

Drivers were being told to avoid West Street, Queen Street, Crooked Lane and The Terrace junction with Harmer Street.

A section of The Terrace was cordoned off with only residents allowed to walk through.

Seal, who works as a tree surgeon, denied the dangerous driving allegation and the assault charge when he appeared in court and the case was sent to the Maidstone Crown Court to be dealt with.

Seal is due to appear there on Wednesday, August 23 and was granted conditional bail until then.