A violent thug has been jailed for ten years for stabbing a teenager in a prolonged and unprovoked attack.

The victim, a 19-year-old man, was in Handel Crescent, Tilbury, with friends on September 8 last year when a car pulled up with Charlie Earey inside.

Earey, 32, got out and chased the teenager into Melba Gardens, where he punched him and attacked him with a knife repeatedly.

The victim was rushed to hospital where he was found to have 11 stab wounds to his body.

Extensive enquiries were made by police officers to find Earey, including a public appeal for information on his whereabouts which was featured in the Gazette.

As a result, the 32-year-old was arrested four months later on Wednesday January 9 and was charged with one count of wounding with intent.

He admitted the offence when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday February 14.

Earey, of Leicester Road, Tilbury, was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday 16 April, to ten years in prison.

Investigating officer Det Insp David Browning, of Grays CID, welcomed the sentence and added he hopes it helps to stem the wave of violent knife crime across the country.

He said: “The court heard the attack lasted ten minutes and appeared to be completely unprovoked.

“The sentence reflects the seriousness of this violent assault - which Earey committed while intoxicated - and he now has plenty of time to reflect on his behaviour.

“We remain committed to tackling knife crime and violence and I ask anyone who knows someone who carries a knife to not be afraid to tell us or Crimestoppers.

“The more we can do together as a community to prevent knife crime happening in the first place, the less people there will be whose lives are changed by it.”

If you have concerns or information, call 101 or report online at www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online

Alternatively, contact the Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org