A MAN has appeared in court charged with attacking a man who was stabbed in the back.

Stuart Bowdler, 36, of Beresford Road, appeared via video link at Basildon Crown Court yesterday to face charges of wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.

The charges relate to an incident in which a man aged in his 30s was stabbed in the back and neck outside the Smack pub, in Old Leigh’s High Street. His injuries were not life threatening.

During the hearing, Bowdler did not enter a plea and insisted he wanted to represent himself in future hearings.

He said: “I don’t really want to waste taxpayer’s money, I’ve studied law, put a lot of work into preparing my defence, I know what I’m going to say, I’m not obliged to have a barrister.

“I’m a man of peace, God gave me a mouth and a mind and I will use them.”

Judge David Owen-Jones said: “You are not a lawyer, you will be severally prejudicial to the course of the trial.”

Bowdler, who is yet to enter a plea, eventually agreed to apply for legal aid.

He will next appear at the same court on April 10 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.