A MAN and a teenager have been charged after two officers were reportedly attacked and strangled during an incident in Colchester.

Essex Police were called to reports of two men attacking a third man in North Station Road, shortly after 10.30pm on Saturday.

After arriving at the scene the first officer was assaulted and strangled before two people attempted to flee - which is when the officer is believed to have lost consciousness.  

A second officer – a trained volunteer Essex Police Special – was also attacked and strangled from behind, before additional officers arrived and made arrests. 

Since then Sam Minter, 37, of Chapel Road, Boxted and a 17-year-old from Colchester have been charged. 

Mr Minter was charged with assaulting an emergency worker, possession of a controlled drug of Class A, affray, escaping from lawful custody and intentional strangulation. 

He appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on February, 19 and was released on conditional bail until a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on March, 18. 

The 17-year-old, meanwhile, has been charged with affray, aiding escape from lawful custody and intentional strangulation.

He remains on bail until a hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on March, 1.

Both officers were taken to hospital for treatment and have since been discharged.