A husband and wife face several charges in relation to the death of a motorcyclist after a crash in Sittingbourne.

Stuart Powell and his wife Carly Powell both appeared at Maidstone Magistrates' Court this morning after being charged with several offences in relation to the death of 26-year-old Whitstable man, Ryan Rudden.

Mr Rudden died after his Honda CBR1000 was hit by a blue Citroen C4 Picasso in Swale Way, Sittingbourne, at about 9.45pm, May 12, 2021.

A second man on the bike, Adam Davies, was taken to hospital with serious injuries and later said he was lucky to be alive after the collision.

Stuart Powell, 34, has been charged with several offences including, causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by using a vehicle without insurance, causing death by using a vehicle without a licence, causing serious injury by dangerous driving in relation to injuring Mr Davies, as well as two counts of perverting the course of justice.

The latter two charges relate to him allegedly telling police his car has been stolen and allegedly hiding a mobile phone from them.

His wife Carly, 36, had been charged with perverting the course of justice in relation to allegedly telling police the car her husband was driving had been stolen and allegedly hiding a mobile phone from them.

The pair of Miller Close, Kemsley, did not enter any pleas and both cases were sent to Maidstone Crown Court to be dealt with.

Terry Knox prosecuting said: "These are indictable offences only and must be sent to the crown court at Maidstone."

Both were granted bail until then.

After the crash which happened near to the entrance to Milton Creek fishing lakes, tributes wer paid to Mr Rudden who was born in Chatham.

Flowers, sweets, a high-viz jacket and a six-pack of Monster energy drinks were left in Swale Way the morning after the fatal incident.

His friend Mr Davies, who police said at the time was lucky to be alive, was riding pillion with him and was left with an "exploded knee", a fractured wrist and ligament damage.

The 31-year-old described Mr Rudden as "the kindest bloke you'll ever meet".

He said: "He'd do absolutely anything for anyone.

"He was just one of those blokes who made me laugh constantly even though he wasn't trying to. He had the heart the size of a double decker bus. I'll miss him forever and ever."

The pair worked together at Sittingbourne electrical company Avidety.

An inquest into the death of Mr Rudden heard in June 2021 he was riding along the road with friend Mr Davies, 31, when the car pulled out of Milton Creek fishing lakes.

The hearing at Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone heard how the married biker tried to avoid the car as it turned right out of the lakes. His cause of death was given as head and chest injuries.

The inquest was adjourned pending the outcome of the criminal investigation into Mr Rudden's death.

Both the accused will appear at Maidstone Crown Court on April 24.