A man has appeared in court today accused of kidnapping a girl with the intent to sexually assault her.

Nicholas Bennett, 26, of Association Walk, Rochester, was arrested late on Thursday night and was charged with the offence the next day.

The charge relates to an incident in which a man allegedly grabbed a schoolgirl and tried to pull her towards his car in Gillingham, on Thursday, January 21.

Bennett is accused of kidnapping with the intention of committing a sexual offence.

He appeared in before magistrates in Medway earlier today and was remanded in custody.

The case against him was sent to the crown court to be dealt with.

Police stepped up patrols near to Rainham School for Girls, in Derwent Way, last week as a result of the incident, which happened between 9am and 9.20am in Salisbury Avenue.

Bennett will next appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday, February 29.