A YOUTH aged 15 has appeared in court charged with stabbing a taxi driver seven times.

The teenager, from Benfleet, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is also charged with possessing a Samurai sword and threatening a man with the weapon.

He was arrested on Wednesday after a 42-year-old driver for Steve’s Taxis was stabbed up to seven times in the stomach and arm in Linden Road, Benfleet, in the early hours of Saturday.

The taxi driver was attacked as he stopped to pick up two women.

One wound was so deep it slashed his kidney and the Echo was told doctors were initially monitoring it in case they needed to remove it.

The teenager appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for a short hearing.

He faces a total of nine charges – possessing the sword in Villa Park, Benfleet on September 4; threatening a man with the sword on September 5; causing grievous bodily harm with intent to the taxi driver on September 20; possessing a kitchen knife, and five counts of criminal damage to various vehicles in Benfleet on the same day.

He appeared in Southend Youth Court yesterday.

The boy was released on bail with strict conditions. Wearing a red prison issue sweatshirt, he was told he is banned from entering Benfleet and must stay with a relative in Stanford-le-Hope.

He is also banned from being in a group of more than two people unless with his family. He will be electronically tagged and must stay at the Stanford address between 7pm and 7am and must attend the youth offending team every week day in Basildon and must not contact his alleged victim.