A Dartford man has been charged by police after he was caught stealing bottles of alcohol in a supermarket in the town centre, then assaulted people as they tried to stop him.

The man was reportedly stealing bottles of alcohol from a supermarket in Market Place, and Kent Police were called out at around 9:50pm on Friday, March 20.

Members of staff saw what he was doing and tried to prevent the man from leaving scene and in doing so were allegedly assaulted.

Officers arrived at the scene and were able to arrest 35-year-old Jamie Hopkins who was found to be in possession of a pair of scissors, classed as an offensive weapon.

Hopkins, of Browning Road, was charged with theft, assault and being in possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

The 35-year-old was remanded in custody to appear at Medway Magistrates Court on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to his charges.

He was released on bail and will now appear at Maidstone Crown Court on April 20, assuming the courts stay open amid the coronavirus ou