Two men accused of an armed cash-in-transit van robbery were unable to enter pleas because of an incident in the cells.

Peter Henderson, 36, and 35-year-old Christopher Downey, of no fixed address, were due to appear at Maidstone Crown Court today.

They are alleged to have robbed Loomis security driver Denis Hayward of a cash cassette containing £15,850 outside a petrol station in Malling Road, Snodland, on September 18.

They are also accused of having a machete with them at the Shell Ham Hill Service Station and handling a stolen Peugeot Boxer van belonging to Axe Hire.

Henderson, of Farmway, Dagenham, Essex, is further accused of handling a stolen Fiat 500 car belonging to Victoria Frank on October 6.

Because of the cells incident involving Henderson, the pair did not enter the dock. Judge David Griffith-Jones said cells staff had requested that they should be returned to prison.

The hearing was adjourned to January 7.