Two women have denied beating up another after a "chance meeting" in a Sittingbourne car park.

The attack is alleged to have happened outside the Forum shopping centre in Station Road.

Michaela Ridden, 21, of Recreation Way, Kemsley, and Abigail Wise, 22, of Watson’s Hill, Sittingbourne, are both accused of assaulting Jazmin Apps.

Both denied the charge when they appeared at Medway magistrates court on Thursday.

Prosecutor Andrew Jones said: "There was a chance meeting and an exchange of words and then the victim was assaulted. She was repeatedly punched, pulled to the ground and further punches followed."

He said the victim had been a previous acquaintance.

He said the defendants denied that version and said they claimed they had to "extricate themselves" from the situation.

The incident is said to have happened around 11.50pm on Saturday, April 2, and had left the victim with facial injuries.

Paul Shaw, the court's duty defence solicitor, said neither defendant was eligible for legal aid.

John Littlemore, the chairman of the bench, approved a lawyer to help the women with cross-examinations during their defence.

The case was adjourned to Maidstone Crown Court where the trial, likely to feature eight witnesses over two days, will be heard in October. Both defendants were given unconditional bail.

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