A SUSPECT has been charged with murder after a man was stabbed and later died.

Patrick Chandler, 44, has been charged with murder following the death of a man in Lawford on Friday, December 1.

A 40-year-old man from Manningtree and a 31-year-old woman from Lawford have been released and no further action will be taken against them.

Chandler, of no fixed address, appeared in Colchester Magistrates' Court on Monday morning.

He was remanded in custody until a further hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday.

Police launched an investigation after the victim, who is believed to be in his 30s, was stabbed in his chest and stomach.

The man was found at around 5.15am on Friday morning at Barker Close in Lawford.

He was taken to hospital for treatment where his condition was critical but he later died.