A man has been remanded in custody charged with the murder of a woman in Chatham.

Marcus Coates, 43, of Ernest Road, Chatham, appeared via video link at Medway Magistrates’ Court this morning.

He was charged on Sunday evening after being arrested on Friday following the discovery of 32-year-old Jennie Banner’s body in a flat on the High Street.

Coates appeared by webcam from Medway Police Station, speaking only to confirm his details.

He was remanded in custody ahead of hearing at Maidstone Crown Court in the next 48 hours.

The block of flats was cordoned off by police while forensic teams examined the scene.

Jennie’s body was taken away in a private ambulance at about 10.30am on Saturday. Police have not disclosed how she died.

A 31-year-old man was also arrested but he has since been released without charge.