A man from Southend will appear at court today charged with drug offences after a late-night stabbing at the weekend.

Antonio Betancor-Lopez, 43, of Trinity Road, Southend, has been charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

He was arrested at around 9.45pm on Sunday, March 17, following reports of an incident in Eastleigh Road, Benfleet.

A man called an ambulance at around 3.35am after reporting he was attacked in or near his car.

He suffered a single stab wound to his chest and remains in hospital in a stable but critical condition.

Anyone with information is asked to call our Major Crime Team on 101 quoting crime reference 42/41391/19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A 43-year-old man from Southend was released under investigation after he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.