A man has appeared in court charged with causing the death of a teacher by careless driving.

Ben Allen, 27, died early on December 18 in Station Road, Cliffe, after being hit by a vehicle.

Following the incident, two men were arrested but were bailed pending further investigation.

Jordan Bannon, of Church Street, Cliffe, has since been charged with causing death by careless driving, causing death by driving while unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured and with failing to report a road-traffic collision.

The 29-year-old appeared before Maidstone Crown Court and pleaded not guilty. He was bailed pending his next hearing, which is yet to be confirmed. The other man has since been released without charge.

At an inquest opening in January, coroner Katrina Hepburn told the court the cause of death was “head and chest injuries”.

She suspended proceedings so a criminal investigation could take place.

Tributes to Mr Allen, who worked at Cliffe Woods primary, flooded in after the incident, with flowers laid outside the school by parents and those who knew him.

One person wrote: "A candle lit tonight for a teacher who connected with my children better than any before – who inspired them to read, who helped them thrive in maths, who played them cool music, encouraged them to play sports and took a genuine interest in what they had to say."

Another tribute said: "You were a much-loved teacher and we are all devastated to hear this news. Thank you for inspiring so many children."