Man charged with attempted murder of Kent Police officer
A 23-year-old man has been charged with the attempted murder of a Kent Police officer who was hit by a car in Ashford.
On Saturday (February 3), the Crown Prosecution Service authorised a charge of attempted murder against Barry Rossiter, of Nickley Wood, Ashford, who appeared before Maidstone Crown Court on the same day.
He has also been charged with causing serious injury by driving a vehicle dangerously and assaulting an emergency worker.
Rossiter was remanded to a hearing at Canterbury Crown Court on Tuesday (February 6).
The incident took place at 3.16pm on Friday January 26, in Coulter Road near the junction with Hedgers Way. The constable, who was on foot at the time, was involved in a collision with a car that allegedly failed to stop at the scene.
Kent Police said the officer sustained “serious injuries” and was taken to a local hospital, from where he has since been discharged to continue his recovery at home.
A second man, Ben Wilson, who was arrested on Friday (February 2), was charged on Saturday with assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice. The 19-year-old of Plurenden Road, High Halden, is due to appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday (February 5).
Four other people, two men aged 19 and 37, and two women aged 19 and 32, were also arrested in connection with the incident. They are all from the local area and have been bailed pending further inquiries, said Kent Police.
As part of the ongoing investigation officers are continuing to appeal for witnesses and are urging drivers with dashcam footage to get in touch.
They specifically want to talk to drivers who have footage in Stanhope Road from its junction with Athol Road to its junction with Knoll Lane between 3.02pm and 3.15pm on Friday January 26.
Officers are also keen to talk to motorists who were travelling on Coulter Road, Long Length, Tally Ho Road and Hornash Lane between 3pm and 3.30pm on the same date.