A STORY of a violent and vicious machete attack carried out on a man in South Ockendon – that was then followed by a car chase and dramatic arrests by police officers – unfolded at Basildon Crown court today (Monday, 20 December).

Two men – one a 23-year old from South Ockendon – have been found guilty of trying to kill another man who was chased, hit by a car, and attacked with machetes.

Another man has also been convicted following his involvement in the attack.

The victim, a man in his 20s, had been driving towards Arisdale Close, South Ockendon at around 12.35am on 1 July last year when he was followed and then chased by a grey BMW X5.

When he got out of the car and tried to run away, he was chased and attacked by a man in a mask armed with a machete who'd got out of the BMW. Another man then got out of the car and the two attackers assaulted the victim with machetes.

They then got back into the car and drove off.

The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries which were considered life-changing.

A witness was able to provide officers with a partial registration for the BMW and at around 1.15am it was sighted by police in Brentwood. The car failed to stop for officers and when a pursuit ensued, it was driven the wrong way on the A127 at speeds of between 80mph and 85mph. Officers used a tactical stop to bring the BMW to a stop in Rosebury Gardens, Upminster at which point those inside tried to make off. The driver, Bradley Dulieu, was arrested in the car, while one of the passengers, Talliq Mwalim was arrested after a foot chase. The other passenger, Jay Hursham was found a short time later, covered in blood attempting to hide in a hot tub at a nearby address. Dulieu, 22, of Heathway, Dagenham, Mwalim, 20, of Rosebury Gardens, Upminster, and Hursham, 23, of Anton Road, South Ockendon, were all later charged. Following their trial Hursham and Mwalim were found guilty of attempted murder. Dulieu was found not guilty of attempted murder but guilty of GBH with intent. Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Ross Natalia Ross said: "This was vicious and prolonged attack where there was a clear intent to kill the victim. "His attackers had armed themselves, hunted him down, and used extreme violence to cause him significant injuries. "The victim's wounds were so serious, at one stage it looked as if he could have died. "All three men now face a significant time behind bars and Essex will be a safer place for that." The convicted men are due to be sentenced at the same court on 28 March.