Seven more people have been charged following an investigation into allegations of abuse at Medway Secure Training Centre.

Officers investigating reports of abusive behaviour alleged to have taken place at the secure training facility in Rochester have now charged a total of eight people.

Peter Scott, 29, of Goodwood Crescent, Gravesend, has been charged with taking photographs and making recordings inside a prison contrary to the Prison Act.

Christopher Lomax, 34, of Timbertops, Chatham, James Beech, 26, of Chilton Avenue, Sittingbourne, Jonathan Kane, 34, of Stratford Lane, Gillingham, Matthew Cunningham, 35, of Megby Close, Gillingham, Gareth Evans, 25, of Tintagel Gardens, Rochester and Anthony James Dance, 26, of Hailsham have all been charged with misconduct in a public office.

Evans will appear before magistrates on October 18. Scott is due to appear on October 19. The remaining five men will appear before magistrates on October 25.

In July, Rebecca Harold, 24, of Grecian Street in Maidstone, was charged with common assault. She has been released on bail and appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on August 23. She is due back before Magistrates on October 26.

One person remains on bail pending further enquiries. A 25-year-old man from Oxfordshire arrested in connection remains on police bail on November 3.

Police also arrested two men aged 25, 35 and 27 and two women aged 26 and 42. They have all been released without charge.

The allegations came to light after an undercover BBC Panorama documentary appeared to show inmates being mistreated.