A MAN was attacked by three teenagers who stabbed him in the hand with a knife.

The 45-year-old man was walking through an alleyway linking Julien Court Road and Beaufort Gardens, when he passed three teenagers who blocked his path.

He was threatened with a knife and punched in the head.

He was stabbed in the hand, causing a minor injury that required stitches.

Police carried out a search of the area and enquiries are ongoing to locate the suspects.

They said: "The teenager who stabbed the victim was described as black, aged about 17 and about 5ft 4ins tall. He had short, curly black hair and wore dark clothing.

"A second suspect was black, aged about 17, with an oval face and large lips. He was slim, about 6ft 2ins tall and had black curly hair, which was short on the sides and slightly longer on top.

"The third suspect was also black and aged about 17."

The assault happened at about 2.30pm on Tuesday, April 26.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Detective Constable Michael Pannell at Braintree CID on 101.