A MAN has appeared in court charged in connection with an incident on a bridge over Woodrow Drive, Redditch, on Monday during which the road was closed.

Dean Tambling, aged 24, formerly of Winslow Close, Redditch, was arrested at around 8.30pm that evening following an incident on the bridge which had begun during the morning.

He was brought before Worcester magistrates yesterday (Wednesday, 5 March) charged with causing a public nuisance by standing on the bridge and threatening to harm himself to avoid arrest. The charge accuses him of causing traffic congestion and other disruption.

Tambling is also charged with assaulting a police constable in the execution of his duty; possessing an offensive weapon, a claw hammer, in a public place; and theft of cigarettes, alcohol and chocolate worth a total of £33.64 from the BP garage at Washford Drive, Redditch.

All the offences are alleged to have taken place on Monday.

Tambling did not enter pleas and the case was committed to Worcester Crown Court on June 23, 2014. He was released on court bail with a condition of residence at an address in Kenilworth Close, Crabbs Cross, Redditch.