A MAN has denied attempting to murder another man in Benfleet.

Antonio Betancor of Trinity Road, Southend, appeared at court yesterday charged with attempting to kill a man in March this year.

The charge relates to an incident where a man suffered a single stab wound to the chest in Eastleigh Road, at 3.35am on Saturday, March 16.

The victim called an ambulance to say he had been stabbed in, or near to, his car in the road.

He was taken to hospital in a critical, but stable condition

Betancor was arrested the following day at about 9.45pm and subsequently charged with attempted murder.

He appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on October 14 where the case was referred to crown court.

The 44-year-old appeared before Judge Samantha Leigh wearing a dark grey puffer jacket, speaking only to confirm his name and Spanish nationality.

He remained impassive during the hearing and did not react to anything that was said.

A provisional trial date has been fixed for March 30 next year.

It is set to last around ten days with numerous witnesses set to give evidence during that time.

Betancor was remanded in custody until the trial.

Addressing him, Judge Leigh said: “March 30 next year is the first available time we can do and that is when the evidence for the case will be ready.

“You will have visits from your solicitors during the time before the hearing, and you must ensure you are at court for your trial date.

“If you refuse or fail to attend it may go ahead in your absence, and it is likely you will be found guilty as the jury will not get a chance to hear your side of what happened in the incident.”