A man has been charged following a break-in at a Sittingbourne charity shop.

Friends of the Wisdom Hospice in the High Street was broken into between 5.35pm on Friday, July 28 and 8.55am the following morning.

It was reported that a safe, its contents and some jewellery had been stolen from the property after damage was caused to a window.

Lee Heathfield, 33, of East Street, Sittingbourne, was arrested at his home address on Tuesday and has since been charged with four counts of burglary.

The other alleged offences were all committed at separate businesses in the town, including one other charity shop.

Mr Heathfield is also charged with theft after a number of items, including a credit card, were allegedly stolen from a car, and with fraud for allegedly using the card to purchase items.

He was remanded in custody when he appeared before Medway magistrates yesterday.

He will next appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday, September 7.