Magistrates have issued an arrest warrant without bail for a man alleged to have attempted to rob the Mace Express shop in Premier Parade, Aylesford .

Lee Sheldon, 32, of London Road, Maidstone, failed to turn up to Medway Magistrates court last Friday where he was due to answer charges of attempting to steal cigarettes and cash, of possession of an imitation firearm - a BB gun - with intent to cause fear - and of possessing a knife in a public place.

The offences are said to have taken place on March 25 last year, when the prosecution alleges that Sheldon threatened shopkeeper Baleswaran Balsingham.

CCTV footage from the store that day shows Mr Balsingham fighting off a would-be robber by throwing cans of drinks at him.

Read more: All the latest news from Malling

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here