A MAN who was taken to hospital with serious injuries after being found in an alleyway was allegedly stabbed.

Police say the victim, in his 50s, suffered serious injuries following an incident in Braintree on Monday night.

The Times understands his injuries are consistent with being stabbed.

On Tuesday morning, the alleyway between Howard Close and Cressing Road was cordoned off while officers guarded the scene.

The cordon remained in place for a number of hours before forensics officers arrived to carry out investigation work.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “The man was stabbed in the alleyway and then called an ambulance himself which took him to Broomfield Hospital with a stab wound to the side.

“He has been visited today and he looks like he should pull through.”

Another resident said: “My neighbour said she heard some shouting at about 11.30pm last night and said there was big pool of blood there this morning.

“I was asleep at the time so the first I knew about it was when I saw the police car.

“The headlights of it shining through my window woke me up at around 5am.”

Other residents have contacted The Times to say they had heard shouting around the time of the incident as well.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We received reports of a disturbance in Braintree just after 11.20pm on January 28.

“Officers attended Howard Close to find a man in his 50s had suffered serious injuries.

“He was taken to hospital for further treatment and our inquiries are ongoing.”