A STANFORD-LE-HOPE man has been charged with possessing an offensive weapon in public.

Conner Sprackling, aged 24, of Abbotts Drive, Stanford-le-Hope is charged with the following.

On 28/08/2019 at Corringham had with you, without good reason or lawful authority, in a public place an article which had a blade or was sharply pointed, namely a 7.5 inch knife

Sprackling has been remanded on unconditional bail until January 24th at Basildon Magistrates Court.

He has pleaded not guilty.

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A prolific shoplifter has been banned from Grays town centre.

LAURA Reid was jailed for six months at Basildon Crown Court on Monday 4 November after admitting three counts of shoplifting, two counts of failing to surrender to bail, breaching a community order and possession of cannabis.

The court heard the 36-year-old, of Seabrooke Rise in Grays, also had previous convictions for shoplifting from shops in the town.

The Grays Town Centre Team applied for a criminal behaviour order, which was granted on Wednesday 18 December.

It bans her from entering the town centre for five years except for pre-arranged appointments with support services and health care providers.

The exclusion zone is the area between the A126 London Road, A126 Orsett Road, B189 Derby Road, Crown Road and Maidstone Road.

Sgt Ben Forbes, who leads the Grays Town Centre Team, said: “Reid’s behaviour has had a significant impact on local retailers and I hope this criminal behaviour order helps to prevent her committing further offences.

“The Town Centre Team works closely with businesses and other partners to tackle problems together, and we will use all options available to us to prevent crime and take action against anyone whose criminal or anti-social behaviour is having a negative impact on the community.”

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ESSEX Police are looking to identify a woman who was assaulted while walking through Grays High Street.

A spokesperson said: “We received a call from a concerned member of the public at around 1.30pm on Friday 13 December who saw a woman being punched by a man.

The woman had her handbag taken from her but she has not made contact with us.

We were told that she suffered an injury to her face and she continues to remain unidentified.

We believe the victim and the suspect are known to each other.

The victim has been described as being white, around 5ft 6ins tall, of a slim build, and had long black hair in a messy bun. She wore a black coat, grey jeans and black and white trainers.

Her attacker has been described as being white, around 6ft tall, and of a slim build.

He wore a black coat with a hood with a white stripe, light blue light blue jeans and black and white trainers.

If you have information, please call Grays police station on 101 quoting crime reference 42/199638/19.

“Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111”.

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A GRAYS man is set to be sentenced after a series of assaults.

Carl Lee, aged 28, of Falcon Avenue, Grays pleaded guilty to the following.

On 01/12/2019 at Grays assaulted a male by beating him.

On 01/12/2019 at West Thurrock assaulted a male.

On 01/12/2019 at Grays assaulted a male by beating.

Lee has been committed to Basildon Crown Court for sentence on January 16th, 2020.

The post Grays man pleads guilty to series of assaults appeared first on Your Thurrock.

HAVE you seen 27-year-old Gary Bulmer, who is wanted on a recall to prison?

Gary is described as being around 5ft 10ins tall, is of a slim build with cropped brown hair and facial hair.

He is known to have links to the Brentwood, Tilbury and Chadwell areas of Essex as well as Swindon in Wiltshire.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts are asked to contact Grays police station on 101.

Information can also be given completely anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org

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JOHN Terry’s dad was arrested by police after an angry bust-up with his girlfriend.

Ted Terry, 65, was accused of attacking partner Evelyn Minkey during the late-night row at the couple’s home in Chafford Hundred over the weekend.

According to The Sun, Ms Minkey, 42, fled the street and was heard yelling “He’s a psycho” and “Get him away from me”.

After begging neighbours to call the police, more than a dozen officers arrived at the scene late on Saturday night and a shirtless Terry was arrested in front of stunned onlookers.

As cops arrived, Terry was allegedly seen struggling with officers and heard saying, “Go away” and “Do yourself a favour, leave it alone”.

It has also been reported that Terry was held in custody for 14 hours after his partner suffered a cut finger but was released without charge

“There was lots of screaming and shouting and she was telling people to call the police, which someone did.”

A police spokesperson confirmed that officers arrested a man following a “domestic-related incident” but released him without charge due to insufficient evidence.

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ESSEX Police are appealing for witnesses after two men were threatened as they sat on a bench in Grays.

They received information that the victims were sitting in Bridge Street when they were approached by two men at around 12.05pm on Wednesday 18 December.

These men asked them for tobacco before grabbing one of the victim’s bags and threatening him.

The man managed to run to a nearby shop and call for help.

One of the suspects has been described as being black, aged in his early 20s, around 5ft 7ins and of a stocky build with a large round nose.

He was wearing black clothing with his hood up and a black balaclava covering his face.

The other suspect has been described as being white, aged in his late teens, around 5ft 6ins and of a skinny build.

He was wearing a black hooded top with the hood up and a black balaclava covering his face.

Anyone with information is asked to call Grays CID on 101 quoting crime reference 42/199169/19.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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DETECTIVES are urging pub-goers in South Ockendon to come forward after a disturbance at the Woodlands Edge in December.

A member of staff was assaulted between 10.30pm and 10.40pm on Saturday 7 December.

The woman, aged in her 40s, suffered a minor injury after being pushed to the floor during a disturbance.

A man in his 20s then went outside and was seriously assaulted, leaving him with a fractured skull and facial injuries.

Enquiries are continuing and available CCTV footage has been reviewed, but if you have dashcam and were in the area, or witnessed the assault inside or outside the pub, police need your help.

They are particularly keen to speak to a man who was seen leaving the pub shortly afterwards, who is believed to have short shaven hair and a jacket with a fur hood.

Please call Grays CID on 101 and quote 42/193627/19 for the assault inside the pub or 42/193621/19 for the assault outside the pub.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and remain 100% anonymous.

The post South Ockendon: Appeal after member of staff seriously assaulted at Woodlands Edge pub appeared first on Your Thurrock.

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PFCC helps to promote domestic abuse awareness training

THE Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex is investing in training to help the community to spot the signs of domestic abuse taking place around them.
Free training is being offered across the county to ensure everyone is equipped to respond appropriately and effectively if they suspect someone is a victim of domestic abuse or if someone reveals they are suffering abuse.

The J9 Domestic Abuse initiative was named in memory of Janine Mundy who was killed by her estranged husband while on police bail and set up by her family and local police in Cornwall.

In 2012, Epping Forest District Council began delivering the scheme locally. In response, Safer Places, the domestic violence support service covering the area at that time, saw a 125 per cent increase in referrals from victims in that area.

Roger Hirst, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex contributed £20,000 towards the roll-out of the scheme to the rest of the county from the 2019/2020 Community Safety Fund.

Trainer and consultant Jo Majauskis said: “Training has been delivered to multi agencies and we estimate that we have more than 2,000 trained J9 champions across the county. Following the success in Essex, the J9 scheme continues to roll out and has received interest from other counties, crossing borders into Hertfordshire and Barking and Dagenham.”

Under the scheme –
* staff in all Job Centres in Essex have received training
* Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow became the first J9 hospital in Essex. Further funding means this will expand to all Essex hospitals
* training has been delivered to safeguarding leads and educators in schools across three districts
* a choreographer developed a piece of dance theatre about domestic abuse. After J9 training, they have since trained staff at every theatre they have performed at to make them J9 venues

Domestic abuse community awareness training is given around awareness of domestic abuse, including signs of abuse, nature of abuse, support agencies and referral routes.
The idea is for the training to improve engagement with victims, improve disclosure rates and provide timely support to victims that safeguards them and their families from harm.

Jo said: “J9 has been generously funded by various people, including the High Sheriff and the Community Safety Partnerships across Essex. Most recently, match funding from Essex County Council’s Public Health Team and the PFCC has enabled us to roll the training out further.

“Their generosity is allowing us to roll out 72 sessions of community training across the county and deliver six dedicated sessions for healthcare professionals in every hospital in Essex.”

J9 delegates are given access to a handbook with practical information and stickers and lanyard to identify them as a “safe” person to disclose to.

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “Breaking the cycle of domestic abuse is one of the priorities in our Police and Crime Plan. Working together with partners across the county, our objective is to help those who suffer in silence and reduce the impact on children and families. The J9 training helps people recognise the signs and indicators of domestic abuse and gives victims confidence that they will get the help and support they need. It really is a great initiative and one that we are proud to support.”

To book a community J9 training session with your organisation, contact Jo Majauskis on 07871 263636 or email j9community@outlook.com

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FOUR men have been sentenced today, Friday 3 January, after crew members were threatened on an international container ship as it sailed within UK territorial waters.

Toheeb Popoola, 27, received two years and seven months for making a threat to kill and affray, Joberto McGee, 20, received two years and eight months for making threats to kill and affray, and Samuel Jolumi, 27, and Ishola Sunday, 27, received a year and four months for affray at Central Criminal Court.

Popoola was previously found guilty of one count of making threats to kill and McGree was found guilty of two counts of making threats to kill.

All four men were found not guilty of attempted hijack and other counts of making threats to kill following a trial.

They were contacted at 9.15am on Friday 21 December 2018, by the Coastguard with reports that a cargo ship travelling from Nigeria to Tilbury had four stowaways on board.

They had gained access to all areas of the ship and three members of the crew were threatened.

The ship was seven miles off the coast of Ramsgate, Kent, and the defendants had attempted to gain entry to its bridge by striking windows and shouting at a crew of 23 people.

The men attempted to intimidate the crew by smearing windows in faeces, blood and urine.

Negotiators made contact with the four men during the afternoon and a boarding party detained the men. When the ship docked at Tilbury, we then boarded and arrested the men.

Chief Superintendent Andrew Mariner said: “This was a complex case that involved international victims and perpetrators who were on board a large ship within UK territorial waters. Fortunately, no one on board came to any harm.

“After carrying out a robust investigation and listening to and supporting overseas victims, we managed to bring theme Office case to the Central Criminal Court and today four men have been sentenced.

“I’d like to once again, extend my thanks to the crew for their support during this investigation.

“I’d also like to thank the shipping company, international freight shipping line Grimaldi Group.

“I hope today’s outcome offers some justice to them.

“I also want to extend my thanks to all of our partner agencies involved in this investigation for their support.”

The post Tilbury: Four men sentenced after crew threatened on container ship appeared first on Your Thurrock.

ESSEX Police are investigating following three burglaries in Grays on the same night.

Between 2am and 5am on 27 December addresses in Phillip Avenue and Fairway were broken into.

Items including car keys and bank cards were taken from the addresses and cars were taken from the driveways.

If you saw anything, have any CCTV or dash cam footage, or have any other information please call us on 101 quoting incident 127 of 27 December or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The post Stifford Clays: Investigation after three burglaries on same night appeared first on Your Thurrock.

THERE is less than a week to go for people to have their say on paying for policing in Essex.

Roger Hirst, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, is asking the Council Tax payers of Essex for their views on the topic of police funding. Do people want more investment in the police service and are they willing to pay more Council Tax to provide it?

People can fill in a survey here: https://essexpfcc.limequery.com/667238?lang=en to give their views.
The survey closes at midnight on Sunday, January 12.

Roger Hirst said: “Funding for Essex Police comes from two sources, central Government and local Council Tax. Taking these two funding sources into account Essex Police receives the second lowest funding per resident of any police force in the country and has one of the lowest Council Tax precepts for policing.

“Over the last two years we carried out surveys asking whether or not people would pay more to increase investment in policing in Essex.

“Last year, 4187 people completed the survey. Seventy-one per cent of the people who responded said they would be prepared to invest more in policing to help improve the service provided. As a result, we increased the policing element of Council Tax by £24 a year for the average household. The maximum permitted by the Government without a referendum.

“This extra investment is making a difference in Essex, helping us deliver an extra 368 officers, including:
New town centre teams across the county
More local policing
More rural policing
Growth in specialist officers to tackle gangs and drug related violence

“Combined with the 135 officers being funded by the Government as part of the first wave of the 20,000 extra officers they have promised nationally, it means we will be recruiting 503 extra officers by April 2021. Taking into account recent investments in technology and improved efficiency this will make Essex Police as strong as it has ever been.”

He added: “This extra investment is having an impact on policing in Essex and in recent years, we have seen a reduction in Anti-Social Behaviour, burglary and theft. However, we know that violent crime, domestic abuse and online crime are all increasing nationally and these effects are being felt in Essex.

“Like other organisations, the cost of policing is affected by inflation and the increased cost of goods and services. This year we are expecting some significant increases in our costs including a 2.5 per cent increase in police officer and staff wages.
If we want to invest more in policing and crime prevention activities we need to invest more than inflation.
“Before we take those decisions, we want to know what people think.”

The survey is online but hard copies are also available on request by either calling the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex on 01245 291600 or emailing pfcc@essex.police.uk. People can also write to PFCC for Essex, Kelvedon Park, London Road, Rivenhall, Witham, Essex, CM8 3HB.

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ESSEX Police have started the new decade by giving 14 new Special Constables their warrant cards tonight, Monday 6 January.

They held our first attestation ceremony of 2020 at Essex Police headquarters with our volunteers watched on by friends and family.

Greeting them were Assistant Chief Constable Andy Prophet, Dawn Roche, Justice of the Peace, and Jane Gardner, Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.

Receiving their warrant cards were Casey Burgess and Eleanor Wright (Braintree), Laurence Cullen, Adam McDermott and Dominik Wojciechowski (Colchester), Sarah Farrelly and Sarah Janaway (Rayleigh), Georgia Pitts (#Clacton), Adam Reed (Harlow), Grace Skingle (Basildon), Aimee Sage (Southend), Angela Teasdale (Grays) and David Wood (Chelmsford).

Chief Superintendent Cat Barrie, who heads the Special Constabulary, said: “It’s a new decade and a new year and I can’t think of a better way to start it – by welcoming 14 people to our force family.

“There are some really exciting projects going on within the Special Constabulary to help people to innovate and to lead.

“The new year brings new challenges and aspirations and last week we received 22 Special Constable applications.

The post More special constables volunteer across Essex appeared first on Your Thurrock.

A STANFORD-le-Hope man has pleaded guilty to possession of a knife, heroin and stealing washing-up liquid.

Kyle Thomas Sherwin, aged 33, of Dowland, Stanford-le-Hope has been charged with the following.

On 22/12/2019 at Southend-on-Sea had in your possession one wrap of diamorphine a controlled drug of class A in contravention of section 5(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

On 22/12/2019 at Southend-on-Sea had with you, without good reason or lawful authority, in a public place Southend Police Station an article which had a blade or was sharply pointed, namely knife.

On 02/08/2019 at Southend, stole liquid detergents, to the value of £25, belonging to Poundland.

Sherwin has been remanded on bail until January 31st at Southend magistrates court.

The post Stanford-le-Hope man pleads guilty to possession of heroin and stealing washing-up liquid appeared first on Your Thurrock.

THURROCK MP Jackie Doyle-Price could find herself under cross examination in court after a man alleged to have continually harassed her, two local councillors and a council worker pleaded not guilty reports ThurrockNubNews.

Self-appointed children’s rights advocate Jack Barnes, known to many as ‘Megaphone Man’ for his continued protests on a number of issues outside Thurrock Council premises and other venues, appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court (Thursday, 9 January).

In November he was brought before the court after spending a night in the cells at Grays Police station after Ms Doyle-Price and colleagues complained about his behaviour outside the Conservative party office in West Thurrock.

He returned today for a plea and management hearing.

Three charges were originally on the court list but two were withdrawn leaving Barnes to face a charge that between 28 June and 23 November last year he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment of Jackie Doyle-Price, Mark Coxshall, Benjamin Gadsby, Mark Coxshall and Andrew Jeffries.

Mr Coxshall is Ms Doyle-Price’s partner and a local councillor who serves on Thurrock Council’s Cabinet. Mr Jefferies is also a Conservative councillor, while Mr Gadsby, a long-time local party supporter and former council candidate, works as a Conservative group support worker at the council.

It is alleged that on 29 June 2019 (Armed Forces Day) Barnes attended the foyer of the council offices shouting and that on 28 October 2019 he shouted and ran after Jackie Doyle-Price in the corridor the council office, while being filmed.

On 12 November 2019 it is alleged he attended the Thurrock Conservative campaign offices and went into the office of Ms Doyle-Price and shouted ‘I want to talk to you’. This was also being filmed.

And on the court was told that on 22 November the defendant against stood outside council offices shouting and using a megaphone while was being filmed.

Over the following weekend Barnes was arrested by Essex Police after further protests outside the Conservative office on London Road, West Thurrock, and held at Grays Police station, prior to an appearance at Basildon Magistrates on Monday, 25 November.

At today’s court appearance, Barnes pleaded not guilty and the matter will now return for trial at Basildon on Friday, 13 March.

It is possible Ms Doyle Price, Cllrs Coxshall and Jefferies and Mr Gadsby will appear to give evidence – but they will not come directly face to face with Barnes, who has been denied the right to question them himself.

The court heard of the possibility that Barnes legal representatives might cease to act on his behalf, raising the possibility he might defend himself, but the court says if his lawyers do quit, the court will appoint someone to represent him.

As a condition of his release on bail Barnes cannot enter New Road in Grays (the location of the civic offices), not enter London Road, Grays, where the Conservative campaign office is.

He cannot be in possession of a megaphone, nor can he broadcast live or post on social media anything mentioning Jackie Doyle-Price.

The post Man charged with harrassing Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle Price makes second appearance in court appeared first on Your Thurrock.

A STIFFORD Clays woman has received a suspended sentence after assaulting a police officer in Grays.

Michelle Walker, aged 36, of Crammavill Street, Grays pleaded guilty to the following at Basildon Magistrates court.

On 6th August 2019 at Grays assaulted a police constable, an emergency worker, namely a police officer acting in the exercise of her functions as such a worker.

A court heard that Walker spat in the mouth of the police officer saying she had AIDS.

Walker was committed to detention for twelve weeks, suspended for twelve months.

She was also fined £200.00

The post Stifford Clays woman who “spat in mouth of the police officer saying she had Aids” escapes jail. appeared first on Your Thurrock.

ESSEX POLICE have received reports of a potential unauthorised car meet this evening around the Lakeside area in Thurrock.

A Public Space Protection Order is in place in this area which gives officers the power to order people causing anti-social behaviour to leave the area

This includes the Lakeside retail park, all car parks, the A13, B186, West Thurrock Way and the A282.

The post Dispersal order in place for Lakeside area appeared first on Your Thurrock.

A TILBURY man has pleased guilty to a number of charges in relation to making indecent images of children.

Andrew Brand, aged 28, of Dickens Avenue, Tilbury pleaded to the following at Basildon Magistrates court.

1.On or before 11/05/2019 at Dickens Avenue, Tilbury had in your possession indecent photographs, namely 1,428 category A images, of children.

2.On or before 11/05/2019 at Dickens Avenue, Tilbury had in your possession indecent photographs, namely 402 category B images, of children.

3.On or before 11/05/2019 at Dickens Avenue, Tilbury had in your possession indecent photographs, namely 301 category C images, of children

4.On or before 11/05/2019 at Dickens Avenue, Tilbury possessed 31 extreme pornographic images which portrayed, in an explicit and realistic way, people performing acts of intercourse and oral sex with live animals.

5.On or before 11/05/2019 at Dickens Avenue, Tilbury you were in possession of 2 prohibited images of children

6.On or before 11/05/2019 at Dickens Avenue, Tilbury made an indecent photograph, namely 1 category B image, of a child.

7.On or before 11/05/2019 at Dickens Avenue, Tilbury made an indecent photograph, namely 1 category C image, of a child

Brand is due to be sentenced at Basildon Crown Court for sentence on January 30th.

Brand was granted bail with a number of detailed conditions regrind use of a computer.

The post Tilbury man pleads guilty to making thousands of indecent images of children appeared first on Your Thurrock.

ESSEX Police have launched a pilot scheme in Thurrock to help safeguard children who witness domestic abuse at home.

Specialist officers are working alongside a number of schools, academies and Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership Council by running an initiative called Operation Encompass until the end of this academic year.

The operation will involve officers noting whether children are present at domestic abuse incidents before asking for their details such as their names, ages and the schools they attend.

They will then inform a designated contact within a school that one of their students has recently experienced domestic abuse. This will be done sensitively and in confidence.

Specific school contacts have received training to assess whether the children involved need further support.

This support could be overt or silent but will help children to remain in school and to continue learning in a safe and secure environment.

Chief Inspector David Miles, who is leading the trial, said: “Our officers attend domestic incidents every day where children are present and we need to ensure they are getting the best possible support.

“A child that experiences abuse within the home may bring behaviours into school that could result in a fall in grades, truancy or disciplinary action – when they actually need additional help.

“We want to schools inform schools as quickly as possible when one of their students has experienced a domestic incident in their home. We want to be their voice when they may not have one.

“This trial will allow us to fully assess the benefits of working more closely with schools before we consider introducing it to other educational establishments across other districts in Essex.

“I’d like to thank the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership and the schools involved, for supporting Op Encompass, which aims to help keep young people safer within our communities.”

Angela Rawlings, safeguarding officer at Belmont Castle Academy in Grays, said: “The safety of our children is paramount and we are delighted to be part of the pilot scheme for Operation Encompass in Thurrock.

“We understand that all types of domestic violence can have a detrimental effect on children, particularly their well-being, health and schooling.

“Children may arrive at school distressed, upset and unprepared for the day, this initiative helps us to provide support to children and parents who are experiencing domestic abuse at the earliest opportunity.”

The trial started on Thursday 2 January ahead of pupils return after the festive period.

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ESSEX Police are appealing for information after they received reports a vehicle collided with two officers in Chafford Hundred yesterday, Tuesday 14 January.

Officers reported that a vehicle attempted to drive off during stop check operations in Drake Road at around 9.15pm.

The vehicle then mounted a grass verge and collided with our officers, one who reported being dragged to the floor and run over.

The other officer reported that she was punched in the face by the driver. She detained the man following a short chase.

A 26-year-old man remains in custody on suspicion of attempted murder, assaulting a police officer, driving unfit through drink or drugs, dangerous driving, fail to stop when directed and resisting arrest.

Chief Inspector Richard Melton, District Commander for Thurrock, said: “Fortunately, our officers were not seriously injured and they have been discharged from hospital.

“Specialist officers have been carrying out welfare checks with them ahead of their return to work.

“A man continues to remain in custody for serious offences and we would like to hear from anyone who any information or footage that can assist us in our enquiries.

“No officer should ever be assaulted during their job, helping to keep communities safe, and anyone looking to cause them harm will be arrested and dealt with accordingly.”

Anyone with information or dash cam footage is asked to call Grays CID on 101 quoting incident 1191 of 14/01.

You can also report information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

The post Chafford Hundred: Police officers run over and assaulted after car makes off appeared first on Your Thurrock.