A man has appeared in court charged with murder after a woman died in an alleged knife attack at the Dockside Outlet shopping centre car park.

Joshua Stimpson, from High Street in Wouldham, Rochester, appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court this afternoon.

The 25-year-old spoke only to confirm his name and address in the brief hearing.

He was remanded in custody until Monday, when he will appear at Maidstone Crown Court.

The 25-year-old was arrested at the scene in Chatham yesterday.

The attack happened just after 11am and the car park was cordoned off while forensics scoured the area.

The victim has been named as Molly McLaren, 23, from Cobham. It is understood she knew her alleged attacker.

The case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which will look into Miss McLaren's contact with officers before her death.

A police spokesman said: "The victim and the suspect were known to each other and enquiries into the incident remain ongoing.

"As part of officers’ on-going enquires, any previous reports made by the victim to Kent Police regarding the suspect will form part of the murder investigation.

"Kent Police has referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and they will determine whether there is a requirement for them to investigate."