A man suffered seven knife wounds in an incident on a housing estate.

And in an earlier separate incident, another man received knife wounds to his shoulder in Colchester town centre.

The first incident happened at the junction with Colchester High Street and Museum Street on Friday at 3pm.

The Dovercourt man was taken to Colchester General Hospital, but his injury was described as "minor".

A 22-year-old laundry worker from Harwich has been arrested in connection with the incident and released on police bail until August 23.

After the second incident a 21-year-old, from Colchester, had to undergo an operation on at Colchester General Hospital on Saturday.

The incident came after an altercation with a group of men at Iceni Square, Shrub End, Colchester, at 12.30am.

Police arrested and questioned four men in connection with the attack.

Three have been released on police bail and a 19-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent.

He was due to appear before Colchester magistrates today (Monday).

The victim's injuries are said not to be life-threatening.

Det Sgt Roy Clark, of Colchester police, said the man suffered seven puncture wounds in the attack. Four were fairly minor, but one went into his spleen so hospital surgeons had to operate.

Det Sgt Clark appealed for witnesses to the attack, especially those who live in the square or Bensusan Court.

Police have not recovered the weapon, believed to be a small knife.

Anyone who finds it should contact Colchester police on 01206 762212.

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