A suspected arsonist has been charged with barricading himself into his flat and setting it alight.

Peter Twiddy, 54, appeared before magistrates in Maidstone on Saturday and was remanded in custody.

Twiddy, of Woodbury Park Road, Tunbridge Wells, was accused of arson with intent to endanger life, criminal damage with intent to endanger life; public nuisance and affray.

It follows an 18-hour incident involving police at Twiddy’s former flat in Crescent Road from March 8 to 9.