A young man has been charged with stabbing a teenager in a daytime city centre attack.

Police were called to Palace Street, Canterbury, at 2.30pm on Sunday after a 17-year-old boy was knifed in the popular shopping thoroughfare.

Joshua Bruton, of no fixed address, is alleged to have caused grievous bodily harm with intent and possessed a bladed article in a public place.

The 21-year-old, who was arrested near Old Park Avenue on the same day as the assault, was remanded in custody today after appearing at Medway Magistrates’ Court through a virtual link.

Following the incident at the weekend, the victim was flown to a London hospital with serious injuries.

A police spokesman said on Sunday: "The injuries are described as serious but not life threatening."

Officers cordoned off a section of Palace Street outside retailer Siesta Crafts and Cafe Chambers following the incident.

Julie Nuttall, owner of The Cheese Shop, reacted after seeing three people run past her store.

She said: "I saw a lot of alarmed-looking people, so I went outside and I saw he was on the floor of The Running Outlet next door. The girl manning the shop was on the phone to the police.

"He was just a young boy and he had been stabbed in the back, so I held the wound together and talked to him. It was just instinctive.

"His friend was in the shop, sat on a seat. I think he was shocked as well.

"It felt like it was a long time; I was thinking it was about 20 minutes, but it was probably just 10.

"The police came and took over, so I went back to my shop, closed up and went home."

The air ambulance landed in Green Court close to the Cathedral.

Resident Joe Egerton, 68, says police cars and two ambulances were also at the scene.

The 68-year-old added: "If it hadn't been for Julie, it could have been very much worse.

"It's dreadful that this has happened in Canterbury. It's shocking.

"There's no reason for people to be worried about shopping in Canterbury. This is an anomaly."

The incident prompted MP Rosie Duffield to assure residents it was not a terrorist incident and instead "a local matter".

She said: "Thanks to all our emergency services for acting quickly and local retailers who heroically stepped in to help.

"My thoughts are with the young person involved and his loved ones, hoping he makes a full recovery very quickly."

A 22-year-old man from Canterbury, who was arrested in St Stephen's Road on Sunday in connection with the attack, has been released on bail until July 17 pending further enquiries.

Bruton's case will next be heard at Canterbury Crown Court on July 20.

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