Chelmsford: Man charged following serious assault

Update: Man charged

Detectives investigating a stabbing in Chelmsford have charged a 24-year-old man.

Alex Crane, of Oak Lane, Billericay, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court today and was remanding in custody until a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday 18 August. 

We were called by Broomfield Hospital at around 11pm on Monday 17 July following reports of a man being admitted to hospital with a single stab wound.

He remains in hospital, but his condition is now stable.

Investigating officers believe this serious assault to be connected to a report earlier in the day, when at around 10:35pm a van left the road and entered a ditch on Margaretting Road.

The charge follows a fast-paced and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident.

A 51-year-old woman and a 19-year-old woman, both from Chelmsford, were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and have since been released on bail until Thursday 19 October.

Officers investigating a serious assault in Chelmsford earlier this week have made an arrest.

We were called by Broomfield Hospital at around 11pm on Monday 17 July following reports of a man being admitted to hospital with a single stab wound. He remains in hospital in a critical condition.

Investigating officers believe this serious assault to be connected to a report earlier in the day, where at around 10:35pm a van left the road and entered a ditch on Margaretting Road.

Specialist officers and police dogs have been in the area across yesterday and today to continue enquiries.

This afternoon, our officers arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder. He remains in custody.

A 19-year-old woman has also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and remains in custody.

Detective Inspector Guy Turnbull said “We appreciate that residents will be concerned following this assault.

“This investigation has remained a high priority over the past two days and our officers have acted quickly to facilitate these arrests.

“We’re continuing to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed anything in the area of Margaretting Road between 10:30pm and 11pm on Monday, 17 July or have any further information to contact us.”

Anyone with information should contact us as soon as possible.

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Officers investigating a stabbing in Chelmsford are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

We received a call at around 10.35pm on Monday 17 July reporting a single vehicle collision involving a van leaving the road and entering a ditch, in Margaretting Road.

Separately to this, we were contacted at 11pm on the same evening by staff at Broomfield Hospital reporting a patient who had suffered a single stab wound to his back.

He remains in hospital in a critical condition.

We believe these incidents to be linked and are appealing for anyone with information which could assist our inquiries to come forward.

We have arrested a 19-year-old woman, from Chelmsford, on suspicion of assisting an offender.

She remains in custody for questioning.

Detective Inspector Guy Turnbull, officer in the case, said:

“Our investigation into this incident is moving quickly and we are following a number of key lines of inquiry.
“Support is in place for the victim and we are treating this is an isolated incident, with no risk to the wider community.
“I would urge anyone who may have relevant information or footage, particularly from those in the area of Margaretting Road between 10.30pm and 11pm on Monday 17 July, to come forward.”