A MAN has appeared in court charged with three assaults.

Alexander Hunter, 21, of Colne Way,  Point Clear, has been charged with one count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after an incident in Queen Street, Colchester, on New Year's Day.

Jonny Smith, 25, who lives in Colchester, suffered serious head injuries in the incident and is being treated in Queens Hospital in Romford.

Hunter, who is unemployed, is also accused of two courts of causing grievous bodily harm on two men in St Osyth in June last year, as well as two counts of theft.

He was remanded into custody until March after appearing at Colchester Magistrates' Court earlier today.

No plea was entered for any of the five alleged offences.

During the same busy night on Queen Street and St Botolph's Street police were called to another two assaults.

Detectives are still investigating all three incidents and want to speak to witnesses and victims.

Mr Smith is currently in a medically induced coma with doctors and his family hoping the pressure on his brain subsides.

Anyone with information about any of the New Year's Day assaults along Queen Street and St Botolph's Street should call detectives on 101.