A man is set to face trial after being charged with not wearing a face mask and assaulting two police officers at Bluewater Shopping Centre.

Sam Francis, from Chislehurst, who is the first person in Kent to face such a charge, appeared today via video link at Medway Magistrates' Court.

The 30-year-old pleaded not guilty to two charges of assaulting police officers PS Corwell and PC Carter, on Saturday, September 12, and not guilty to a charge of not wearing a mask at the shopping centre on the same day.

He elected to face trial at Crown Court over the assault charges and is set to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on December 10.

Francis will also face a further related matter of causing criminal damage, having allegedly damaged PC Corwell’s watch, valued at £179.

The charge of not wearing a face mask was not deemed suitable for the crown court so Francis a trial over the matter will be held at Medway Magistrates’ Court on March 24 next year.

He was granted bail with the condition that he is not to enter Bluewater Shopping Centre.

To read more of our in depth coverage of all of the major trials coming out of crown and magistrates' courts across the county, click here.