A 29-year-old man has been charged following a violent disturbance in Southend-on-Sea that left a man with serious, life-changing injuries. Leon Makumbi, of Burford Way, Hitchin, appeared at Southend-on-Sea Magistrates’ Court on 6 April 2026 after being charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The incident occurred on Chichester Road at approximately 2am on Sunday 5 April 2026. Police arrived to find a man who had sustained stab wounds and had also been struck by a vehicle. Authorities have linked the disturbance to an earlier incident near the South Street Bar in Westcliff, which took place at around 1am that same morning.
In response to the violence, Essex Police arrested four people, including three men and one woman. Two of those individuals have since been released on conditional bail, while one man remains in hospital. Investigators managed to trace suspects after two individuals fled in a vehicle later found at Southend Hospital, while another vehicle was stopped on the M25 in Hertfordshire.
Chief Superintendent Chris Bradford addressed the incident, stating that officers moved quickly to make arrests and that those involved are believed to be known to one another. He confirmed that there is now an increased police presence in the area to reassure the community. This incident occurred as police were also managing the annual Southend Shakedown motorcycle event, which saw approximately 20,000 visitors arrive in the city on 6 April 2026.
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