Weapons offence charges against four men from east Kent, which included having baseball bats and an axe in public, have been dropped.

Ged Shone-Porter, 22, of Palmarsh Avenue in Hythe, Jacob Shone-Porter, 24, of Radnor Park Crescent in Folkestone, Patrick Shone, 53, of Radnor Park Crescent in Folkestone and Brandon Tucker, 26, of Clarendon Place in Dover had all been charged with possession of an imitation firearm, thought to be an fake shotgun, with intent to cause fear.

The charges were made in relation to an incident at a property in Burmarsh, near Dymchurch, on Thursday, September 6.

They were also charged with affray.

In connection with the same incident, three of the men - Ged and Jacob Shone-Porter and Brandon Tucker - were jointly charged with possession of baseball bats and an axe in a public place.

The charges were discontinued against the men last month on the grounds that there was no longer sufficient evidence 'to provide a realistic prospect of conviction'.

The case is continuing against Mr Tucker on two charges, which are the possession of cannabis with intent to supply, and possession of cash as criminal property in Hythe on Friday, September 28.

It is due to go to trial at Canterbury Crown Court on Tuesday, January 29.

Mr Shone was also charged at the time with possessing cannabis relating to a separate offence in Folkestone on Friday, September 28.

He pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis at the first hearing in this case on Saturday, September 29 at Canterbury Magistrates’ Court and was conditionally discharged for 12 months on Monday, October 29 at Canterbury Crown Court.