A GANG carried out a “frenzied attack” where a man was stabbed ten times before dying in hospital, a court heard.

The murder trial of four people accused of killing Lee Chapman in Cromer Road, Southend began yesterday at Basildon Crown Court.

The 26-year-old died in hospital in the early hours of March 7 this year, after being stabbed shortly before midnight the day before.

Sarah Wahid, 45, of High Road, Grays, Tyrell Thompson, 24, of Kingston Road, London, plus a 17 and 16-year-old boy from Southend all deny his murder.

Prosecuting, Jane Bickerstaff QC told the jury yesterday that the three males had confronted Mr Chapman at the junction of Cromer Road and Kilworth Avenue, stabbing him ten times, before fleeing to a black Mercedes.

She said: “A resident was drawn to a loud sound of what she thought was a dog in pain.

“She saw a black car parked outside. She saw three males go back to that car.

“One glanced up at her and she went back behind the curtains, and when she looked out again the car with the three males had gone.”

The prosecution allege Wahid was the getaway driver. She was found by police in Eastern Avenue at 3am on March 7 and arrested.

Forensic analysis found blood that was “a billion to one” match to the 16-year-old and DNA matching the 17-year-old inside the car.

Ms Bickerstaff told the jury: “[The 16-year-old] was stabbed in the attack, and it may indicate to you the hurried and frenzied nature of the assault and hows close he was to the assault happening on Mr Chapman.”

Ms Bickerstaff said the boy had told police he had been stabbed while trying to stop the attack.

Thompson is also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to two phone calls made to his girlfriend from prison, in which the prosecution say he instructed her to get rid of a phone and tracksuit.

The trial continues.