TWO people have been charged following a serious and violent incident which took place at Lakeside shopping centre last week.

Earlier this week Nub News reported on an incident at the centre where a young boy was assaulted and robbed.

Now police have released details of another serious incident in the same vicinity on the same evening – though the two do not appear to be related.

A statement from Essex Police says: "We were notified by colleagues in the ambulance service of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle in car park D, close to Coco Asia, at Lakeside Shopping centre at around 11.55pm on Friday, 5 January. 

"The victim reported being at Puttshack, Lakeside, earlier in the evening before he and a friend left the venue. 

"The men reported walking across the car park when one of the pair, a man aged 20s, was struck by a Silver Vauxhall Corsa before being abandoned.

"The victim remains in hospital after he sustained serious injuries. The second man was unharmed. 

"On Sunday, 7 January, an 18-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man, both from Kent, were arrested in connection with the incident.

"Two people have now been charged.

"Brandon Stewart, 23, of Hampton Crescent, Gravesend, is charged with GBH with intent and arson with intent to endanger life.

"Sophie Kular, 18, also of Hampton Crescent, Gravesend, is charged with GBH with intent.

"Both are due to appear at Southend Magistrates' Court today (Tuesday, 9 January).

"We continue to appeal for anyone with information on the incident or dashcam footage of it to come forward and contact us.

"Please quote crime reference 42/2695/24 when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible. 

"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website where you can use our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

"Visit https://www.essex.police.uk/digital101to find out more about our website reporting services. Alternatively, you can call us on 101.

"If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on X, formerly Twitter, at @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111."