Suspect charged with attempted murder of Kent police officer

A man from Nickley Wood, Ashford, has been charged with attempted murder after colliding with a police constable on the afternoon of Friday 26 January.

The incident happened on Coulter Road, near the junction with Hedgers Way.

The constable, who was on foot at the time of the incident, sustained serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital, and has since been discharged to continue his recovery at home.

A man, who we now know to be Barry Rossiter, was arrested in connection with the incident on Wednesday 31 January, and has also been charged with causing serious injury by driving a vehicle dangerously, and assaulting an emergency worker.

Four other people, two men aged 19 and 37, and two women, 19 and 32, were also arrested in connection with the incident. The four are local to the area, and have been bailed pending further enquiries.

A sixth person, a 19-year-old man, has also been arrested and since remains in police custody.

Investigators are continuing to appeal for witnesses to this incident, and are urging drivers with dashcam footage to contact Kent Police if they were travelling on Coulter Road, Long Length, Tally Ho Road and Hornash Lane between 3pm and 3:30pm on Friday 26 January 2024.

Anyone with information should call 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/14411/24, or visit the appeal page on their website.

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