A man has been bailed after allegedly threatening a woman with an air rifle.

Stephen Stanford, 33, was charged with brandishing the imitation firearm at the victim, who is known to him, after armed police were called to a block of flats in Alfred Road, Gravesend, at 10am last Wednesday.

The weapon was found in the back garden of Stanford's home, which is also in the block.

He was charged with possessing an air weapon with intent to cause fear or violence and appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday where he was bailed to appear before Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday, June 7.