Four would-be shoplifters were arrested following a police chase in which they drove at an officer, a court has heard.

Junior Dolphy, Bianca Gentle-Purcell, Christine Lamothe and Kyron Lamothe-Gooden were allegedly seen on CCTV filling suitcases with £2,573 of clothing at TK Maxx in Maidstone in December.

The items were left at the entrance to the St Peter’s Street store but a pursuit ensued when the defendants jumped into a black Mercedes and drove off.

Dolphy, 38, is accused of driving the car directly at an officer during the chase. He denies charges of shoplifting, assaulting a police officer, dangerous driving and driving without insurance.

Lamothe, 32, and 27-year-old Lamothe-Gooden denied shoplifting at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court last Friday.

Gentle-Purcell is charged with shoplifting and allowing Dolphy to drive her car without insurance or a licence.

She is due to appear at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on Monday, February 29, having failed to attend Friday’s hearing.

Dolphy, Lamothe and Lamothe-Gooden, all from south London, will stand trial at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, February 19. They have been released on conditional bail.