A FIFTH person has been arrested in connection with a stabbing which left a man bleeding in the street.

Police launched an investigation after a man in his 40s was found with wounds in his back and one in his chest and suffered a perforated bowel and punctured lung in Mandeville Road, Marks Tey, on October 31.

A 21 year-old man from Barking was arrested on Tuesday, on suspicion of attempted murder.

He has since been released on bail until December 8.

Three people have been charged over the incident.

Donald Adu, 24, of Howard Road in Stoke Newington, London, was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He is next due to appear at Ipswich Crown Court on December 4.

A 15 year-old boy and a 16 year-old boy have also been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

They are both next due at Ipswich Crown Court on December 6.

The boys - who are from Colchester - cannot be named for legal reasons.

During Adu’s court hearing it was said the victim - a man in his 40s - is believed to have been set upon by a gang of three after they had met in an alleyway for a drug deal.

One of the attackers is said to have been wearing a skeleton mask.

The victim had three wounds in his back and one in his chest and suffered a perforated bowel and punctured lung.

His injuries are said be life-changing.

He was helped by a former paramedic after the man was found calling for help on his driveway.

A 20-year-old woman from Islington was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and has been released under investigation.