A nightclub doorman collapsed and broke down crying in the dock at Chelmsford Crown Court as he was jailed for assaulting a teenager. Kenneth York, 33, punched a 19-year-old man in the face, fracturing his nose, after an incident in a Braintree street
Billericay Town chairman Rod Moore insists that he will have "no hesitation" in pulling the club's players off the pitch if he feels that the safety of them or the coaching staff is under threat at Aldershot Town next Saturday. There is a history of crowd
Soccer bosses at Billericay Town Football Club are celebrating after taking a giant step towards developing a new stadium complex in the heart of Basildon - but not without protest. Park fury - campaigners against Billericay Town's plan gathered outside
A teenager panicked when he saw police and ended up driving at 70mph on streets with a 30mph limit. At one point, a tyre on Aaron Bryant's car exploded, and sparks were seen coming from the car before it eventually stopped. And when police spoke to him
A south Essex council was today told to pay £1,250 compensation to two residents whose complaints about burning waste were not handled properly. The Local Government Ombudsman Mr Jerry White has criticised Thurrock Council's planning and environmental
Plans to establish a new £200m state-of-the-art hospital to replace the ageing Oldchurch complex in Romford have been hauled back from the brink of collapse. The new acute hospital is seen as vital to provide modern health care for residents of Brentwood
Issues and problems affecting the Benfleet area will be thrashed out at a meeting on Tuesday. Councillors and members of the public will attend the area forum at the council offices in Kiln Road, Benfleet, at 7.30pm and questions from the public gallery
Opposition to plans for a new airport at Cliffe has been renewed by Southend Council's cabinet. Cabinet member in charge of transport Roger Weaver said: "Southend Airport must resolve the problems it has at the moment before it can rely on the fullest
A French woman who had to be cut from her car following a collision on the A120 has died. Sandrine Sabine Bartolo was left fighting for her life after the black Peugeot 206 she was driving collided with a tree when she was travelling along the road from
Money made by Chelmsford Council from hosting the popular two-day V2002 pop festival is to be pumped into a programme of special events in the county town next year. Councillors agreed the initiative would be a good move for the town at an executive meeting
Members of the public are to given a chance to voice their concerns about the scourge of fly-tipping in Castle Point. The Benfleet Forum will address the issues and tell the public of proposals drawn up so far. A litter hotline scheme was suggested at
Community champions, local heroes and people who have courageously faced adversity will be given well-deserved recognition at the prestigious Essex Achievement Awards ceremony. A total of 25 people of all ages from across the county will be receiving
Just one area of the Thames in south Essex remains open to cocklers after the ban on removing shellfish was extended. The London Port Health Authority widened the no-go area after discovering toxins in shellfish during routine tests. Phoenix, West Shoebury
A firefighter stood and watched in horror as his own house burnt down. Simon Ruffle was soon to move into the his near-complete dream house he had built himself in Tillingham, with girlfriend Kate Banham. But a villager called him at his current address
Organisers of a major firework display are scrapping the annual event after it was revealed the majority of people attending this year had not paid. More people saw the display from outside Clacton's Town's Rush Green ground. Massive losses in income
Moves to set up Tendring's first official gipsy site have taken a major step forward. Tendring Council's cabinet members have agreed to back the idea of a short-term stopping place in the district so that travellers can be relocated if they turn up on
Funding for a scheme which provides cash support for disabled people to get out and about is due to run out. About 70 residents across Tendring benefit from the Essex Disabled People's Association Travel Scheme, which has been operating for three years
Southend United's co-owner Ron Martin has revealed his disappointment with a poll designed to help Blues' fans win back the Roots Hall North Bank. The Shrimpers carried a voting slip in the matchday programme for the recent home clash with Hartlepool
A truant daughter failed to turn up for lessons today - hours after her mum avoided a jail sentence for not sending her to school. Gertrude Bowdidge escaped a jail sentence yesterday after being prosecuted by Essex County Council for not making her 15
Witham residents have won their long-running fight to get a direct bus link to Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital. The new service - the 344 - will pick up passengers in Witham, Hatfield Peverel and Terling. In a separate move, Witham's Howbridge Estate
A motorcyclist died after losing control of his bike and smashing into a car, an inquest heard. Russell Lynch, 33, of The Avenue, Wivenhoe, suffered fatal injuries after his 900cc Honda motorbike collided with a BMW. Yesterday's hearing was told that
An injury to Tom Elder has dealt a serious blow to Rayne A's chances of regaining the Braintree Table Tennis League title. Elder pulled a muscle in his arm while playing for Rayne A against Rayne C and was forced to pull out of the match. He is expected
Traffic chaos at Sadlers Farm roundabout is the target of a major campaign being launched this month. One suggestion to clear the trouble around the A13 junction and Tarpots, in Benfleet, is a road linking a housing estate with the new A130. Residents
Council gardeners have been praised for brightening up a run-down cemetery. Looking tidy - Rosemary is delighted at the manicured cemetery. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY FMG6S6 Rosemary deBoise had watched as the land around St Katherine's Church cemetery, in
Witham beauty spots could become the jewel in the town's crown after it was agreed to manage them on a more local level. Improvements will now be brought in at Whetmead Nature Reserve and River Walk after it was agreed Witham Town Council should be in
A 12-year-old boy scored his own win after a Colchester United game. Andrew Page, of Abberton, was distraught when, after a recent Colchester United match against Chesterfield, he discovered his beloved glove signed by members of the team had been lost
Topless model Jordan will be fronting the launch of the first lap-dancing club night in north and mid Essex. Club Forin opens its doors in Colchester for lap, pole and table-dancing on Tuesday, December 3, to an invitation-only crowd which includes the
Soldiers from 10 Transport Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, said their official goodbyes to Colchester today. The farewell parade The regiment has been based at Roman Barracks since 1993. The parade, led by Major Nick Byrne, is its way of thanking residents
A thief stole cash destined for war veterans. The teenager snatched a Poppy Appeal collection box from The Old Court Coffee House and Restaurant in Church Street, Colchester. Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester CID, said: "It shows that people who steal
At The Club Room at the Ship pub in New Road, Leigh on November 22, top US bluesman UP Wilson will be appearing. If blues is not your bag you can catch the brilliant punk tribute band Swindle at the Ship on November 8. They will be playing two sets of
A playscheme for young children living in temporary accommodation at Norway House in North Weald has been handed a £5,000 lottery funding boost. The grant from the national Awards for All scheme was approved following a joint application submitted by
Colchester United chief Steve Whitton is waiting to hear from Oxford boss Ian Atkins if Sam Stockley's transfer is still on. Hopes of a compromise deal for defender Stockley were rekindled last night and with the two clubs talking again Whitton was today
The search is on to find the three caring teenagers who went to the aid of a 14-year-old girl who was injured in a road accident. The girl was involved in a collision with a car on the corner of Skelmsersdale Road and Station Road, Clacton. A teacher
An open verdict has been recorded on the death of a woman. Shirley Murphy, 55, was discovered by her partner Gary Coleman at the home they shared in Guildford Road, Colchester, an inquest in Colchester heard yesterday. A Home Office pathologist found
Joe Royle summed up the night perfectly when he said there were lots of 'look at me' performances. While others in the game deride the Worthington Cup, Ipswich's new chief learnt more about his squad last night than in his previous two matches put together
Southend police chief Mick Thwaites has met worried families on an estate where a man was killed on his doorstep. The Superintendent held the talks on the Woodgrange estate in Southend to allay fears following Barry Redsull's murder. A week ago today
A labourer has been locked up for a glass attack in a Colchester nightclub. David Fuller, 20, was yesterday told by a Chelmsford Crown Court judge the injuries his victim received were some of the worst he had seen. James Beadles needed 15 stitches, a
Essex residents without power four days after the severe storms are to be offered a £100 payment as an apology by electricity firm 24seven. The company said it had restored power to 90 per cent of homes within 24 hours of the storms, which killed eight
Killer Ian Jarvis was today starting a life sentence behind bars after being found guilty of murdering his brother's girlfriend. Ann Marie Couldridge was strangled in her own flat by Jarvis who then lit two fires in an effort to conceal his crime. Dad-of-two
Basildon angler Stan Howard continues to take excellent catches at Gloucester Park, topping his recent hauls with a superb ton up mixed bag. Stan took the enormous 110lb catch from the canal stretch. Luncheon meat and trout pellet baits fished on pole
Arsonists are being blamed for starting a blaze which destroyed a community hall in Basildon. Wrecked - firebugs are being blamed for destroying a community centre. Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL FNAKX2 Flames which ripped through the building flared 40ft into
A public meeting to tackle the issue of yob rule in Ongar has been called after frightened residents of Longfields and Cloverly Road spoke out at last Thursday night's parish council meeting. The Love Lane parish chamber was filled to capacity as worried
Work is now well under way on the new Travel Lodge hotel which is taking place next to the Halfway House pub on Eastern Esplanade, Southend. First for 50 years - the new hotel on Southend's seafront. Picture: LUAN MARSHALL FMDVT12 The Scottish and Newcastle
Fabian Wilnis is dreaming of Cardiff after starring in Ipswich Town's Worthington Cup success against Middlesbrough. The Dutchman was a pivotal figure in last night's 3-1 third round win at Portman Road, earned thanks to goals from Thomas Gaardsoe, Jamie
An historic church bell has made a triumphant return to Colchester - 400 years after it was displaced by an earthquake which hit the town. Parishioners attended a special service at St Peter's Church, North Hill, to welcome the bell back after it was
Torrential downpours caused flash floods which left a trail of disruption. It's a start - but an umbrella won't be much use for this resident struggling to cope with flash flooding North Essex was lashed by rain yesterday, and police, firefighters and
Southend United's out-of-favour teenage striker Daniel Webb could be on his way back to First Division strugglers Brighton. The rock bottom Seagulls have made a loan enquiry about the 19-year-old, with new Withdean Stadium manager Steve Coppell hoping
Rain did not dampen the spirits of guests at one special wedding For Melissa Hawkins and George Newbury's big day was celebrated in front of all their friends at Wix Methodist Church. But the happy and excited bride and groom were both only SIX years
Rayleigh Tory MP Mark Francois has called on the Government to introduce new legislation to improve the country's readiness against a terrorist attack. Speaking in the House of Commons during a debate on defence, he welcomed the enhanced role of the Territorial
Careless burglar John Chaplin made life easy for detectives after leaving a trail of clues. The officers were able to catch him through DNA tests because he left either cigarette butts or specks of blood at the scene of his crimes. Chaplin, 48, of Sandon
The Essex County Show has finally been axed after the Essex Agricultural Society, which established the show 144 years ago, said there was no point in continuing. Anthony Peel, chairman of the society's show committee and chairman of Essex County Council
Four people were arrested and another two fined in a police operation to crack down on late-night crime in South Woodham. Police are hailing the operation a great success because the town was free of vandalism on Friday night. They say that will repeat
