A man has been found guilty of chasing a woman and punching her repeatedly during a terrifying kidnapping.

Joe Smith approached the victim at around 7.30pm on 31 May 2017, as she was walking along Station Road.

The 24-year-old is reported to have chased her and then punched her repeatedly. Witnesses then saw him grab the back of the woman’s head and push her towards his car, a Renault Laguna.

Smith, of Wellingtonia Way, Edenbridge forced her towards the driver’s side rear door and pushed her in.

Police attended the scene and later located the car in the High Street. Further inquiries led to Smith’s arrest the following day and the victim, who was known to him, was located safe and without any serious injuries.

Appearing before Maidstone Crown Court Smith denied a charge of kidnap and the case went to trial.

On Wednesday a jury found him guilty and his sentencing is scheduled at the same court for January 12, 2018.