A man charged with rape and false imprisonment following a stand-off with police in Maidstone has been remanded in custody - after barricading himself in his cell.

Rafel Kafel, of Milton Street in Maidstone, was charged with two counts of rape, false imprisonment, assault and possessing cannabis after yesterday morning's incident.

The 39-year-old was due to appear in Maidstone Magistrates' Court today but failed to attend after barricading himself in his cell.

In his absence magistrates remanded him in custody to appear at Maidstone Crown Court next month.

Pollice descended on Upper Stone Street at 2am, with part of the town centre cordoned off during the six-hour incident.

The was closed at the junction of Mote Road and Knightrider Street, but was reopened just before 7.30am.

A police spokesman said they were called out just before 2am to arrest a man for a reported assault.

When they arrived there they became concerned for the man's welfare and set up an area "to ensure the safety of all concerned".