THE brother of a man accused of attempted murder threatened to "drive witnesses to Scotland and make them disappear", a court has heard. 

Paul Butler, 22, is standing trial at Basildon Crown Court charged with intimidating witnesses, alongside his brother Curtis Butler, 23, who is charged with attempted murder and having an article with a blade or point.

The pair are on trial in connection with a man being repeatedly stabbed in Valkyrie Road, Westcliff, in the early hours of Saturday, October 30, 2021.

Yesterday, Paul Butler gave evidence and insisted he did not threaten or intimidate anyone witnesses to the alleged stabbing. 

He told the court: “I did not threaten or intimidate anyone. I didn’t threaten a man as I thought he was helping police.

“I was told my brother was arrested and was dragged out of his home. I didn’t know anything about any stabbing.

“I was just trying to find out why he was arrested and who knew about it. I went to a shelter and met a man and sat down to talk to him.

“I knew he knew my brother and asked him about the arrest. He didn’t tell me anything or mention talking to the police.”

The court has previously heard from a witness how the victim was repeatedly stabbed in the street and left covered in blood.

The jury was also previously told how the victim, who is in his late 20s, was attacked by a man wearing a balaclava while walking down the road with a friend.

Police and ambulance crews were called to the scene and the victim was taken to Southend Hospital where he was treated for stab wounds to his neck and back.

Paul Butler added: “I contacted a woman who knew my brother, I spoke to her on the phone and went to see her too.

“All I wanted was to find out why my brother was arrested. I went to see her as it was easier to speak face to face and is how prefer to speak to people.”

Both Curtis Butler, of Great Gregorie, Basildon, and Paul Butler, of, Royston Avenue, Southend, deny the charges against them.

The trial continues.