A MAN has been charged with three counts of false imprisonment and a string of other offences after police attended a serious incident in Stanway, Colchester.

Police have named the suspect as 54-year-old Brian Lyttle, who was arrested on Friday and questioned by police on Saturday.

He has now been charged with three counts of false imprisonment, engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour, making threats to kill, actual bodily harm, an attempted serious sexual assault, and threatening a person with an offensive weapon or bladed article.

Lyttle, of Warren Lane, Stanway, will appear before Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The charges follow a serious incident at an address on Friday which triggered a large emergency services response which included a forensics unit.

Officers were seen speaking to neighbours and other members of the public as part of their enquiries.

One neighbour told the Gazette she was worried by the length of time police remained at the address.

She said: “I just thought, whatever it was, it’s bad because [the emergency services] have been there for a long time.

“I just hope they are all OK and wish them well.”

Other neighbours mentioned seeing police and ambulance services but said they did not think much of the incident.

In a formal statement, a spokesman for Essex Police said officers entered the address to ensure everyone inside was accounted for.

He said: “A man has been charged as part of our response to an incident which took place in Stanway on Friday, November 22.

“We received concerns for the welfare of a number of people in Warren Lane, Stanway, shortly before 3pm.

“A significant policing response was sent to the area and officers quickly entered a property to ensure all occupants were safe and accounted for.

“After a short interaction, a man was arrested.

“Brian Lyttle, 54, of Warren Lane, Stanway, has now been charged with three counts of false imprisonment, engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour, making threats to kill, ABH, an attempted serious sexual assault and threatening a person with an offensive weapon or bladed article.

“He is due to appear in Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 25.”