A jury has been discharged from returning a verdict in the trial of a man accused of assault after police issued a press release stating he had absconded from Maidstone Crown Court.

Gary Moore, 34, was on bail when he left the court precincts just as his trial was about to start on December 7.

Judge Charles Macdonald QC decided the case should continue in his absence.

But after the judge discovered on Friday that some jurors had read media reports based on the police press release, he decided the trial should be halted.

Moore, of Ballard Close, Marden, has denied assault causing actual bodily harm, allegedly committed in Maidstone.

A warrant has been issued for his arrest and a retrial is expected to be held.