A man has been charged after allegations that a man was beaten with a tree branch and racially abused in a town centre.

The victim suffered head injuries after the incident in Union Street, Maidstone, on April 1.

It is thought the man was walking with his friends at around 11.30pm when he was attacked.

The suspect is alleged to have shouted racist abuse at the victim before striking him with what was described as a large tree branch.

Ryan Perrins, 33, of Heathorn Street, Maidstone, was arrested on April 27 and later bailed, pending further inquiries.

On Tuesday October 3, he was charged with two counts of assault, one of which was racially aggravated.

Perrins was bailed to appear before Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Friday, November 24.