A woman has tearfully described how she was “chopped” with knives and machetes in an attack which left her brother dead.

Esther Doherty, 36, told Chelmsford Crown Court today how she was attacked with knives and machetes one night at Willow Farm, in Cranfield Park Avenue, Wickford.

On Sunday April 16, Mrs Doherty’s brother, Hugh Doherty died after he was allegedly shot by Levi Draper, 27, as he ran to save her, his honour Judge Gratwick heard.

Mrs Doherty told the court: “I was left there for dead.”

In a police video interview at Basildon Hospital on Tuesday April 18, which was played to the court yesterday, Mrs Doherty told police of how she was brutally attacked and ‘chopped’ at by Levi Draper and Harriet Crittenden, 25, in Willow Farm, Wickford.

She said that an argument broke out following a Facebook post by Crittenden which escalated after Mrs Doherty went to the couple’s caravan to confront them.

Mrs Doherty said: “Crittenden hit me in the head three times, as I put my hand up she chopped at my arm.

“She dragged me through to the kitchen. Levi was standing over me, attacking me with a knife and a machete or something like that.”

Mrs Doherty had been at the Dick Turpin pub with her partner, John Cooper, who is also Draper’s uncle, before they returned to the site to confront the couple.

She said that after the attack inside Draper and Crittenden’s caravan, she fell out of the caravan and was laid outside the front steps of it. She added: “I backed up to the door to try and get out down the steps but I fell on my back.

“She was coming at me with a weapon. I put my leg and my arm up to try and save myself. I crawled around seven or eight feet to try and get away from them.”

Mrs Doherty’s partner, Mr Cooper, came running to the scene of the attack, but she said that she did not know what was happening.

She said: “All I heard was John screaming, Levi was outside but I did not recall him saying anything.”

After the attacked against her happened, it was alleged Mrs Doherty’s brother, Hugh was shot by Draper twice.

Mr Cooper put the two in his car and drove them to Basildon Hospital where Hugh was pronounced dead that night.

Draper is charged with the murder of Hugh Doherty, the attempted murder of Esther Doherty, wounding with intent and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Crittenden, also known as Sherri-Ann, is charged with the attempted murder of Esther Doherty, wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.

Draper and Crittenden both deny all the charges against them.

The trial continues.