In today's Gazette: A serial offender was back in a police cell 13 hours after being released from prison.

Neville Dickinson, 61,  swore at staff at the George Hotel in Colchester High Street. He has now clocked up 136 convictions for 294 offences and has breached his Asbo 27 times.

* Police are trying to piece together the last moments of pensioner Shirley Bragg.

The former librarian and school governor was found dead at a house in Trinity Streeet, Halstead. A 58-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of preventing lawful burial.

* TV star Dermot O'Leary returned to his former Colchester school to help it celebrate its 50th birthday.

The X Factor presenter spoke to pupils at St Benedict's Catholic College where he studied before going to Colchester Sixth Form College.

* Thieves stole a collection box for an anti-knife charity Only Cowards Carry which was set up in memory of teenager Jay Whiston.

Jay's mother Caroline Shearer described the theft as upsetting and disrespectful.

For more on these and other great stories see today's Gazette. There is always more in the paper than there is online.