A MAN has appeared in court charged with murder.

Patrick Chandler is accused of killing John Comer, 46, from Clactonwho died following an incident in Barker Close, Lawford, on Friday.

He also faces a charge of possession of an offensive weapon - a knife - on the same day.

The 44-year-old, of no fixed address appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court this morning.

No pleas were entered to the two charges, and he will next appear at Chelmsford Crown Court tomorrow.

Frank O’Toole, defending, said Chandler is likely to deny the charges.

He said: “It is a total denial.

“He gave his account to the police and denies the allegation.

“As far as I am aware there are no witnesses and no DNA.”

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

TMr Comer was found at about 5.15am on Friday morning.

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

A Post Mortem revealed he died from a stab wound to the heart.

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

Separate to the murder charge, Chandler admitted breaching a suspended sentence order which he was handed earlier this year after carrying out an assault.

He had been given given a 14-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months and ordered to attend a drug rehabilitation programme and rehabilitation requirement days.

More rehabilitation days were added to make the order more onerous.