A man has been charged following what Essex police called a “serious incident” between Brightlingsea and Thorrington  when a person was seen clinging on to the bonnet of a car.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which took place on the afternoon of  Friday, November 7. Officers arrested a man outside the Fir Tree café after the car was spotted on Tenpenny Hill in Thorrington.

The person on the bonnet of the car was said not to have sustained any serious injuries.

“As a result of our investigation, we now believe the incident began at the junction of Moverons Lane and Church Road, close to All Saints’ Church,” said an Essex police statement. “The vehicle then drove along Brightlingsea Road, turning left onto Tenpenny Hill before coming to a stop.”

James Marlborough, 52, of Napier Avenue, Jaywick, has been charged with three counts of assault and dangerous driving and was due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday 10 November.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage is urged to submit a report on the Essex Police website or by using the online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week., citing incident 762 of 7 November.

If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.