A MAN had part of his ear bitten off when he was attacked in Southend High Street, a court heard.

Six men have appeared in court, charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Hashim Shariff during the incident.

Mr Shariff was punched, kicked and his head was stamped on, leaving him with cuts, bruises and part of his right ear missing.

Three Basildon men, David Kemshall, 22, of Stagden Cross, Kurt Palmer, 27, of Luncies Road and Levi Swift, 27, of St Marys Crescent appeared before Southend magistrates, charged in connection with the incident.

Jason Walker, 19, and Aron Sturrock-Moore, 23, both of Rylands Hostel in Wickford High Street also appeared, charged with causing grievous bodily harm.

Sturrock-Moore, is also charged with possessing 0.2gms of the Class B drug, methylone, known as M-CAT. The sixth man, Sean Murphy, 25, of Ardleigh, Basildon, was not in court.

Simon Bravery, prosecuting, said: “This is a serious incident.

The court would say it was a random attack.”

Mr Shariff was given antibiotics for his injuries, but did not undergo surgery for the injuries sustained in the June 8 attack.

The five who appeared in court were released on conditional bail until their next appearance, at Basildon Crown Court on the week commencing February 9 next year.