A 16-year-old boy accused of an attempted rape in a park is expected to stand trial in February.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court yesterday (October 10).

It is alleged he attacked a woman in the Great Lines Heritage Park, Gillingham on August 20.

She reported being threatened and assaulted by an unknown male and the youth was subsequently arrested in the Sheerness area eight days later.

The boy had been due to enter his plea to the charge during yesterday's court hearing but his lawyer, Ben Irwin, asked for that to be adjourned to allow a mental health assessment to take place.

He is therefore expected to return to court on November 19, with his trial fixed to start on February 10.

Judge Oliver Saxby KC remanded the teen, who was supported by family members at the hearing, back into custody.