A man has been jailed for six years and 10 months for GBH and possession of a knife following an incident in Grays.

Billy Dickens, 23, of Hathaway Road, Grays, appeared at Basildon Crown Court today, Tuesday, April 25, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of GBH and one count of possession of a knife.

Dickens was sentenced for six years and 10 months for one count of GBH, two years to run concurrently for the other count of GBH and two years to run concurrently for possession of a knife.

On Wednesday, November 16, 2016, the two victims were having a conversation in Clarence Road, Grays, when they were approached by a group of people at around at 3pm.

As one of the victims, a 42-year-old from Grays, walked off he was stabbed in his abdomen, buttocks, leg and hip and was airlifted to hospital.

The other victim, a 25-year-old from Grays, came to his friend’s aide and Dickens punched and slashed him a knife, causing a deep cut to his ear.

One of the suspects was identified as Dickens and he was arrested on November 22, 2016.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “Dickens is a prolific offender and went into our community armed with a knife.

“He subjected our two victims to a horrific ordeal with one being airlifted to hospital for emergency surgery.

“Dickens has shown no remorse for his actions and he will now have time to think about the consequences of his actions in prison.”