A MAN was found bleeding in the street after being stabbed in a frenzied attack.

Passers-by raised the alarm after the 34-year-old stumbled to the Odeon cinema, in Southend town centre, pleading for help.

He was stabbed multiple times in his upper legs, back and buttocks.

The attack took place in College Way, Southend, at about 11pm on Sunday - close to the University of Essex’s student accommodation block.

A knife was later found in Napier Avenue - where 19-year-old Nico Ramsay was murdered earlier this year.

Both streets remained cordoned off by police yesterday morning as forensic tests were carried out.

Callum Marks, 18, of Napier Road, told how he came across the victim as he made his way home after visiting his girlfriend.

He said: “He had blood dripping down his hand and he had a stab mark in his leg.

“He was just saying: ‘Ring an ambulance, I’ve just been stabbed.’ “He had managed to run around the corner so at the time I didn’t know what was happening. It didn’t seem real.

“I didn’t know if it was a social experiment or whether when I took my phone out someone would rob me.

“It’s usually very quiet around here so it was a pretty terrifying experience.”

The victim was taken to the Royal London Hospital, where he remained in a serious but not life-threatening condition yesterday.

Echo:

Acting Chief Insp Gary Lane, Southend district commander, said officers are searching for one black male in connection with the attack.

He said: “Just after 11pm a 34-year-old man was stabbed several times. He was stabbed in his buttocks and his legs.

“It appears to have happened in College Way. Witnesses saw him running to London Road, towards the Odeon cinema, where he called for an ambulance.

“His condition is serious but not life-threatening. He’s still currently being treated in hospital.

“We would appeal for anybody who may have seen anybody acting suspiciously on Sunday night to call police.”

It is understood the victim is from Southend, but of no fixed address.

The attack comes less than a week after a homeless man was stabbed multiple times in Southchurch Park, Southend.

A 27-year-old was attacked at 11.45pm on Wednesday, October 19 by six men and three women as he tried to sleep on a park bench.

He suffered multiple wounds to his upper legs, back, buttocks and face - but still managed to stagger to a phone box in nearby Prospect Close to call for help.

Anyone with information about the stabbing can call Southend CID on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.