A lorry driver has appeared in court charged with dangerous driving after a horror smash in Southborough.

Mariusz Sudol, of St Mark's Avenue, Northfleet, was arrested on the day of the 13-car pile-up, which happened in London Road in June last year.

Appearing at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court today, the 34-year-old entered no plea on two counts of dangerous driving and one of failing to stop following an accident.

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Sarah Worsley, prosecuting, told the court moments before the crash the Renault lorry was seen on CCTV to stop outside Tesco Express for a minute and a half.

The vehicle then continued on towards Tunbridge Wells, approaching a build up of traffic and hit several vehicles. This constitutes the first charge of dangerous driving.

It is also alleged he drove over a traffic island and continued for a mile and a half while the vehicle was heavily damaged, leading to the remaining charges.

VIDEO: Mariusz Sudol has appeared in court.

Chairman of the bench Martin Beck said due to the size of the lorry, amount of vehicles damaged and nature of the allegations the case could not be dealt with at magistrates' court.

The next hearing will take place at Maidstone Crown Court on April 4. Sudol was released on unconditional bail.

The road was closed between Speldhurst Road and Western Road for seven hours after a lorry ploughed through 13 vehicles.

More than six police cars, two ambulances, a fire service vehicle and the air ambulance descended on the scene.

A trail of destruction was left behind with debris strewn across the road and a set of traffic lights destroyed.