Man accused of absconding from prison and assaulting eight police officers in Kettering

A man has appeared at court accused of absconding from prison and spitting at police officers in Kettering.

Robert Maxfield, 42, has been remanded in custody charged over a series of incidents between November 28 and November 30.

He is accused of absconding from HMP Hollesley Bay, a category D open prison in Suffolk, on Saturday afternoon (November 28).

Maxfield has also been charged with assaulting eight police officers in Kettering and one count of racially aggravated public order.

Three of the assault charges related to an incident where three Cambridgeshire Police officers were assaulted at about 1.10pm on Sunday, November 29, on the A14 westbound near Junction 7.

The other five relate to another incident the following day at KGH where one Northamptonshire Police officer was kicked in the head and spat at, before four other officers were also spat at.

One officer also had racist comments shouted towards them.

In a brief hearing at Wellingborough Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (December 2), which Maxfield did not attend, the case was sent to Northampton Crown Court.

No pleas were entered and Maxfield will next appear before a judge next year.

He will be remanded in custody.