A man who allegedly had a claw hammer in KFC has appeared in court.

John Farmer is charged with possessing the offensive weapon in the Week Street, Maidstone branch and in nearby Brenchley Gardens.

The 36-year-old, of Downsland House, Cuxton, was arrested following a disturbance in the town just after 5pm last Thursday.

It followed social media reports that the area had been cordoned off following a stabbing, but this wasn’t the case.

Farmer is also charged with affray and appeared at Maidstone Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

He entered no plea and was remanded in custody to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday, July 18.

Anyone who witnessed the incident should call 101, quoting reference 16-996.