A man has been charged after copper piping was stolen from a Paddock Wood business, causing thousands of pounds of damage.

The piping was taken from eight industrial fridges in December, at an Eldon Way company. Further parts were stolen two months later.

A man was arrested on Friday , after officers pursued a Ford Transit flatbed truck, which was seen driving dangerously in the Wrotham Heath area.

It is alleged the driver abandoned the vehicle in West Malling and attempted to run away but was caught.

A search of the truck led to the seizure of weapons including a lock knife and a kitchen knife. Nathan Mahoney, of no fixed address, was arrested and remanded in custody.

The 38-year-old appeared at Medway Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with criminal damage over £5,000, two counts of theft by finding, theft from a motor vehicle, assault, possession of a amphetamine, two counts of driving whilst disqualified, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and four counts of possession of a bladed article.

He remains in custody and will next appear in court in June.

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