A man accused of raping two women in Southend was today said to be too ill to appear before magistrates after being rushed to hospital in a life-threatening condition.

Unemployed Michael Mason, of Weston Road, Southend, was today believed to be back in prison after being put on the critical list at hospital following an incident last week.

Mr Mason, 26, a remand prisoner, was rushed from Chelmsford prison to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford for emergency treatment.

It is unclear exactly what his injuries were but it is understood he was not attacked by other inmates.

The possibility that this may have been an attempted suicide bid has not been dismissed by the prison.

Magistrates were told notification had been sent by the custody officer at Chelmsford Prison to say Mr Mason was unable to appear because of his condition.

The note gave no other details and failed to say how long Mr Mason would be unable to appear.

Simon Samuels, for Mr Mason, said his information was that his client had been on the critical list and that there were "concerns for his mental health."

Mr Samuels said: "He found last week's court appearance very stressful and was a difficult prisoner to deal with. As such he was segregated at the prison."

Mason - who is charged with the rape of a 24-year-old woman between Church Road and Lucy Road, Southend, on March 19 and the rape of an 18-year-old woman hours later - was today understood to have made a good enough recovery to return to Chelmsford Prison.

The prison was unavailable for comment.

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