A motorist who had stopped his car on the hard shoulder of the motorway during the early hours of on New Year’s Day has been charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Christopher Croucher, 31, from Strood, was spotted by officers from the force’s roads policing unit parked up the hard shoulder of the coast-bound carriageway of the M2 between the Sittingbourne junction and the Faversham turn-off at about 4.40am.

He was found at the wheel of a white Corsa, was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and was later charged with failing to provide a specimen for officers.

Croucher, of Tern Crescent, has been bailed to appear before magistrates later this month.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: “At around 4.40am on 1 January, 2017, Kent Police attended a vehicle parked on the hard shoulder of the coast-bound carriageway of the M2, between junctions 5 and 6.

“A man was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst over the legal alcohol limit.

“Christopher Croucher, 31, of Tern Crescent, Strood, was later charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

“He has been bailed to appear at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Friday, January 20.”