A woman suspected of spitting at an officer after being arrested is one of two people in Maidstone to be charged under recently-introduced laws to protect emergency workers.

The woman is first said to have made threats to assault police in the Palace Avenue area of the county town at around 7pm on Thursday, April 4.

As she was being arrested she is then alleged to have spat in the face of an officer and kicked a colleague, while another officer is also reported to have been assaulted whilst she was in custody at a police station.

Dawn Ring, 36, of Tonbridge Road, was charged with three counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker and a further charge of common assault of an emergency worker.

She is bailed to appear at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on May 8.

Then on Sunday, an officer who attended a crash on Holland Road is said to have been punched in the face.

Jacob Keep, 21, of Postley Road, was arrested and later charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker and causing criminal damage.

He is bailed to appear before Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on May 10.

Maidstone Chief Inspector Ray Quiller said: "It can never be acceptable for police officers to be subjected to assaults and abuse whilst carrying out their duties to uphold the law and protect the communities they serve.

"We will always seek to prosecute anyone we suspect is responsible for these type of offences and ensure there are consequences for their actions."

The Assaults on Emergency Workers Act 2018 came into force in November last year and created a new offence of assault against emergency workers - including police, paramedics, nurses and other blue light workers.

It also provides tougher sentencing powers for judges.

To read more of our in depth coverage of all of the major trials coming out of crown and magistrates' courts across the county, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone