A MAN has denied stabbing two women following a frenzied attack in Basildon.

Neil Crawford appeared in Basildon Crown Court to answer charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The 31-year-old appeared in the courtroom via video link from Chelmsford prison.

He dressed in a plain black collared T-shirt with short, cropped brown hair.

Crawford, of Quendon Road, Basildon, spoke only to confirm his name and nationality.

He entered not guilty pleas to both charges.

The victims were both women, one in her 20s and one in her 50s.

The charges are connected to an attack which happened in Quendon Road on May 22 this year.

Police received a 999 call and were rushed to the scene within 11 minutes of the call going out.

One person was tasered and arrested at the scene, and police set up a cordon to block off the area for a number of hours.

The two women have since been recovering from the attack and their injuries were not life threatening.

At court on Tuesday, Alison Gurden, representing Crawford, said that he would be seeing a psychiatrist at a later date. A trial has been set for the week beginning August 17 this year, provided the Covid-19 pandemic situation does not worsen.

The trial is expected to last between three and four days.

Judge Samantha Cohen told Crawford that he would be remanded in custody until the trial date, where he would be required to attend in person.