by Helen Wagstaff

A 43-year-old man has appeared in court charged with using a firearm to rob a Maidstone jewellers.

Stephen Edmund Almond of Melville Road, Maidstone, is charged with robbing Charmian Beaton jewellers, in Pudding Lane, Maidstone, of diamond jewellery on Wednesday.

Magistrates in Maidstone today were told he is also charged with possessing a semi-automatic pistol with intent to commit robbery.

Mr Almond was remanded in custody and will next appear at Maidstone Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on Friday May 22.