Two men who deny racially abusing a takeaway owner will stand trial over the matter next year.

Andrew Grindlay, 46, of Kingswood Road, Gillingham, and Dirk Peterson, 45, of Ivy Street, Rainham, had previously denied the allegation when they appeared via virtual link from Medway Police Station at Medway Magisrates’ Court earlier this month.

The pair were arrested after an incident at Perfect Fried Chicken in Gillingham High Street on Remembrance Sunday.

The pair were charged with racially abusing the shop owner at about 8pm that day.

During their previous appearance, Grindlay and Peterson both pleaded not guilty and were granted conditional bail, with Peterson placed on a tagged curfew at his home from 6pm to 6am every day as part of those conditions.

Other conditions placed on the pair include not going into Gillingham High Street, not having contact with each other or contacting the witnesses in the case.

Both appeared at the same court this week when their trial date was set.

Their trial will be heard at the same court on Friday May 2.