A man who stabbed his friend before crashing his van into a ditch minutes later leaving the victim with lifelong injuries has been convicted.

Alex Crane had denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent following a stabbing in Margaretting Road, Writtle, on Monday July 17 last year.

Police were initially called by Broomfield Hospital at around 11pm following reports of a man being admitted to hospital with a single stab wound.

Essex Police's investigation into the serious attack established Crane had arranged to pick up a friend in his van that night, before stabbing him and crashing into a ditch just minutes later.

The 24-year-old seized and examined the van, which had been abandoned, later tracing Crane to a caravan park in Oak Lane in Billericay.

He was arrested on Wednesday July 19 following extensive enquiries.

The victim had suffered a stab wound to his back, thankfully later making a recovery, but the force says he continues to have breathing problems and will rely on medication for the rest of his life.

Crane was unanimously convicted by a jury on a single count of causing GBH with intent at Chelmsford Crown Court last Thursday.

He will be sentenced at the same court on Thursday, March 7.