A MAN has appeared in court charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon in public.

Ian Chapman, 43, of Polden Street, Bridgwater appeared at Taunton Magistrates’ Court on Friday, March 27 after a man was stabbed in the lower chest at around 3pm last Thursday in the town centre.

Police and ambulance crews were called to Bridgwater High Street where a 40-year-old Burnham man was found bleeding from the stomach.

He was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and received three stitches to a stomach wound.

Police arrested Chapman later that afternoon and he appeared in court the following day.

He was remanded in custody and will next appear at Taunton Crown Court on April 24.

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police told the Mercury: “A man has appeared in court and remanded in custody following an incident in Bridgwater High Street on Thursday when we were called about 3.10pm to a report of a stabbing.

“We arrested a 43-year-old man that afternoon and he was charged with possessing an offensive weapon in public and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.”