A man has denied assaulting a 29-year-old who has been left fighting for his life in hospital.

Roger Kent, 52, of Lamorna Close in Walthamstow, was charged with grievous bodily harm after the incident on Monday.

The assault occurred in Lamorna Close, near to the junction with Hale End Road.

The Guardian understands the 29-year-old lives with his family in a block of flats just off the road, but no-one inside said they knew the family.

Neighbours said the incident occurred after an argument got out of hand.

Kent entered his plea at Thames Magistrates Court on Wednesday and will remain in police custody until June 5, when he will return to court for a committal hearing to find out whether and when a jury trial will take place.

People living in the road expressed shock at the event, with one man calling for security cameras at the end of the road to prevent more violence.

Erol Satilmis, a 29-year-old who has lived in the road for 17 years, said the community would feel safer with security cameras after the incident.

He said: “It’s crazy to think this has happened here. It’s not a bad road at all. It’s surprising, I’m a bit shocked.

“I just hope he will get through it. If there were some CCTV cameras at the top of the road that would help, the whole thing would’ve been caught on film.”

Police were criticised for arriving on the scene after the man had been taken to hospital by paramedics, but told the Guardian they arrived just 10 minutes after the assault had occurred.