Detectives investigating a stabbing in an Essex city 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 remanded in custody until a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday August 18.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We were called by Broomfield Hospital at around 11pm on Monday July 17 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, Chelmsford.

The force says this 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 October 19.