A man has pleaded guilty to common assault, threatening behaviour and criminal damage after police were called out to a school in Gillingham yesterday.

Officers were called out to the Robert Napier School, after a disturbance thought to involve a pupil’s parent.

Police arrived at the scene at about 8.30am after school staff, dialed 999 and arrested Tony Tree, 42, on suspicion of public order offences.

While officers dealt with the incident, pupils were asked to remain in their classrooms at the school in Third Avenue, and a letter was sent out to parents explaining why their children were kept in class during the incident for safety reasons.

Tree, of Freesia Close, Gillingham, appeared before magistrates in Medway and pleaded guilty to all three charges.

The case against him was adjourned for pre-sentencing reports to be prepared and Tree was granted bail until then.

Head teacher, Andrew Minchin added: The school we will not tolerate any form of aggressive or abuse of our staff and we will push for prosecution every time.

“I would like to also praise my staff who acted with vigilance and courage while faced with an aggressive intruder.”

“I would also like to praise the rapid response from the police who were able to quickly apprehend the man concerned.”

Tree will be sentenced at the same court on Thursday, March 16.