A man has appeared in court and remanded in custody after being charged in connection with three incidents in Gillingham yesterday.

Detectives investigating reported offences at a Halifax bank and two betting shops say they have charged Ryan Cooney.

The 30-year-old, of Hilltop Road, Strood, is accused of one count of robbery and two counts of attempted robbery.

It is alleged he walked into the three premises saying he had a bomb.

The offences are reported to have been carried out within 20 minutes of each other around 10am.

Halifax cashiers are understood to have handed over several hundred pounds.

A spokesman for the branch said staff were working with police and supporting colleagues affected.

No money was taken from the bookmakers.

Armed police were seen in Gillingham High Street and Cooney was arrested shorty after 1pm near MidKent College in Medway Road.

Cooney appeared in Medway Magistrates' Court yesterday and was remanded in custody. His case was sent to Maidstone Crown Court to be dealt with.

He will appear on Tuesday, July 24.