Missing Witham woman found in Stratford

Catherine Colebourne, who was missing from her home in Witham, was found in Stratford yesterday evening, March 29.She had been missing since 9.45am on Monday and had failed to return home.

Missing Witham woman found in Stratford

Catherine Colebourne, who was missing from her home in Witham, was found in Stratford yesterday evening, March 29.She had been missing since 9.45am on Monday and had failed to return home.

Burnham man plans to set up volunteer business after life-changin...

A LIFE-CHANGING trip to Bangladesh has inspired one young man from Burnham to dedicate his future to giving back to less fortunate communities in the world.Greg Wallaker, 20, of Southminster Road, was persuaded by a friend to sign up to Voluntary Service Overseas on a three-month project based in Bangladesh that aimed to tackle issues that affect local communities, and now wants to set up his own business to support helping them.He said: "I'd never considered volunteering before this but it...

Burnham man plans to set up volunteer business after life-changin...

A LIFE-CHANGING trip to Bangladesh has inspired one young man from Burnham to dedicate his future to giving back to less fortunate communities in the world.Greg Wallaker, 20, of Southminster Road, was persuaded by a friend to sign up to Voluntary Service Overseas on a three-month project based in Bangladesh that aimed to tackle issues that affect local communities, and now wants to set up his own business to support helping them.He said: "I'd never considered volunteering before this but it...

Becky Parker's mum tells of constant depression since her...

WHILE Becky's family chose not to speak to the press at the culmination of the sentencing, statements were read out in court by prosecution lawyer John Caudl, one of which was written by Becky's mum, Naomi Parker.It read: "From July 17 to this current day, I have felt constantly depressed, run down, and unable to eat."I struggle to sleep and I have periods where I cry for no apparent reason."My family view me as the rock who holds everyone together, but when I'm alone, I let my...

Young family served eviction notice after complaining about...

A young mother was served an eviction notice after months of dispute with her landlord over the state of her home, despite having just given birth to a new baby.

Megan Litscher, 20, and her partner Sam Cornwell, 22, were told three days before Christmas that they would receive a section 21 order, a notice that allows landlords to evict a tenant without having to give a reason.

The mother-of-two had complained to the letting agents that the property, 62 High Street in Southminster, was damp...

Judge describes Becky Parker murderer Matthew Smith's actions as...

SENTENCING, Judge Charles Gratwicke QC described Matthew Smith's actions as "merciless" and "vicious".Addressing Smith, who wore a black and grey jumper and showed little emotion at the culmination of the 45-minute hearing, Judge Gratwicke said: "You were convicted by the jury of the vicious killing of Becky Parker on July 17 of last year."She was 23 years of age, your former partner and the mother of your children, and she was, as you have described her, lively,...

Dragons' Den Star Levi Roots to speak at Maldon business event

Dragons' Den Star Levi Roots is coming to Maldon to share the secrets of his business success.Maldon District Council is hosting a high-profile showcase for district-based businesses later this year, with Levi Roots listed as the keynote speaker.The event is set to take place at the Three Rivers Golf and Country Club in Cold Norton on Wednesday, May 11.Funded by Magnox Ltd, the showcase is open to new and existing businesses including sole traders, SMEs and large enterprises looking to raise...

Maldon murderer Matthew Smith sentenced to life in prison for...

A factory worker who strangled his pregnant ex-girlfriend to death in a fit of jealous rage has been jailed for life and must serve a minimum of 18 years behind bars.A jury took just short of 15 hours to find Matthew Smith guilty of murder, returning their verdict just after 2pm yesterday (March 21) after a three-week trial heard that the 24-year-old used cable ties and string to murder mum-of-two Isobel Parker, known to her friends and family as Becky, in her Burnham-on-Crouch flat.Passing...

Recap: Essex traffic and travel Wednesday, March 23, 2016 morning

We all know how frustrating it can be to be caught up in delays or seemingly endless traffic jams.



And with Easter on the horizon, we want our last couple of days at work, and getting there, to be as hassle-free as possible.


But, be it the
A12 on the way from Colchester to London, the M25 at Brook Street in Brentwood, the M11 near Stansted or the railways, it always seems like there's some sort of hold up somewhere.


That's where we at the Brentwood Gazette and Essex Chronicle team...

Adventure Golf Course one step closer at Maldon's Promenade Park

CONSTRUCTION has begun on the new pirate-themed adventure golf course at the heart of Promenade Park in Maldon this week.Plans for the attraction were approved more than a year ago but strict planning restrictions forced delay of the ambitious project's launch which was originally set to start last November.The long-awaited ground-breaking ceremony on Monday was attended by Deputy Leader of Maldon District Council, Mark Durham, and Chair of the Community Services Committee Ron Pratt who have...

Matthew Smith convicted of 'sickening' murder of Becky Parker

Police who led the investigation into Isobel 'Becky' Parker's murder have called it a 'sickening' crime after killer Matthew Smith was found guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court today. Becky, 23, was found in the bath at her home in Burnham-on-Crouch on Friday, July 17 with cable ties around her neck having been strangled by 24-year-old Smith, her ex-partner. During a three-week trial, the court heard that Becky and factory worker Smith had been in a relationship for some years and had two children...

Hundreds stranded after Ryanair's Stansted flights cancelled due...

FOLLOW OUR LIVE BLOG FOR MORE TRAVEL UPDATESSIX Ryanair flights from Stansted have been cancelled because of a French air traffic controllers' strike on March 20 and 21 2016.The strike is expected to cause cancellations and disruptions to flights leaving UK airports for the next three days.Flights affected are not just those taking off or landing in France, but using French air space and some planes are being redirected.Ryanair flights from Stansted that have been cancelled today (March 21) are:...

Chip pan fire leaves Essex man with burns to both arms

A man has been left with burns to his arms after throwing water over a chip pan fire. Essex Fire and Rescue Crews were called to a kitchen fire after a chip pan caught alight in Ashdown Way, Colchester, at 3.18pm today (Saturday, March 19) The man, aged in his 30s, received burns after throwing water onto the flaming hot oil.One hose reel jet was used to extinguish the fire by 15:40hrs. A ventilation fan was used to clear the property of smoke and the man was left in the care of the ambulance...

VIDEO: Essex vets team up with Springwatch's Chris Packham to...

SPRINGWATCH presenter Chris Packham has joined forces with vets in Essex to warn dog owners about the deadly tick borne disease that has entered the county and already killed two beloved pets.

The life threatening disease is transmitted to
dogs by infected ticks and dogs in Essex are believed to be the first in the UK to have contracted canine babesiosis. It originates from eastern and southern Europe and there are various different strains.

The discovery comes as scientists at the...

Family tributes for men killed in Howe Green crash

The families of two men who died following a road traffic collision at Howe Green have paid tribute to them.Emergency services were contacted shortly before 6.05pm on Tuesday March 8 to reports of a collision involving a Volkswagen Tiguan, a Seat Leon and a Volkswagen Scirocco in Southend Road, Howe Green.James Quartermaine, 20, of Heybridge, who was driving the Seat, and Stephen Kateley, 69, of Colchester, who was driving the Tiguan, died at the scene.Mr Quartermaine's family said: "James...

Greater Anglia trains through Shenfield, Chelmsford, Colchester...

There are delays up to 25 minutes on all Greater Anglia routes across Essex this afternoon after a major signalling fault.The signalling for trains running between Liverpool Street and Colchester, Southend Victoria and also Cambridge and Stansted Airport was lost after a power failure in the signalling centre earlier this morning.Now, trains are running again on all routes but there could be cancellations and delays up to 25 minutes. A statement from Greater Anglia on its travel page said:...

Purleigh Vet issues warning after dog is brought in with adder...

A vet's surgery has issued a warning to pet owners in the Essex area after they treated a dog for adder bites last Saturday.EdgeWood Veterinary Group posted photos of Bruno, the four-year-old dog, on their Facebook page with the following warning:"This is 4 year old Bruno. Bruno was rushed into the Purleigh surgery last Saturday morning after being walked along the sea wall and suddenly becoming unwell and lethargic. "On his journey to the surgery his face was beginning to swell up and...

Heybridge Swifts submit plans for new stadium despite community...

Plans for 104 houses and a new sports facilities have reignited backlash from the community who fear the new football stadium will devalue the area.After lengthy consultations, developer Bloor Homes and Heybridge Swifts Football Club have applied to Maldon District Council to build the new football facilities on land near Goldhangar Road which will be funded by a new housing development on the football club's current site on Scraley Road.Bloor Homes say plans have been in the pipeline for almost...

Essex volunteers to spend 24-hours in kennels for AA Dog Rescue...

VOLUNTEERS can spend a day in the life of a rescue dog in an effort to raise money for an animal rescue centre.Vicki Stansfield, who volunteers at AA Dog Rescue in Latchingdon, has decided to ask like-minded supporters to spend 24 hours as if they were being kept in the centre in exchange for sponsorship.The Latchingdon resident, who started volunteering there after she adopted a rescue dog last year, said: "I was made to feel so welcome that I came back to walk some of the dogs when I...

PICTURES: Indoor speed skating championships, Maldon, Essex

Gallery created by Chris_Rushton

​In court: Who has been in court in Chelmsford, Braintree, Witham...

The following criminal cases were heard at Essex magistrates' courts from February 11 to 18.Sent to prisonDARREN CHARLES BELTON, 43, of HMP Chelmsford, was sent to prison for eight weeks for breaching a restraining order made on December 21 by sending letters and calling a person in Chelmsford between December 22 and 27. He was also given three eight week concurrent sentences for breaching the order on three occasions, including the day it was made. He must pay an £80 victim surcharge and...

Gun-wielding Chelmsford teen jailed after targeting wine shop in...

A TEENAGER was released from prison just six weeks before holding up a Stock off-licence with a BB gun in a bid to pay off his £1,400 drug debt.Jordan Anderson, 19, was sent to prison today after a court heard he had been left with stab wounds and a broken nose after a drug-related assault.Anderson, unemployed, targeted the Four Vintners in Mill Road on November 25 at around 6pm when he held a fake gun at shop owner Mark Stephens.Prosecuting at Chelmsford Crown Court, Brian Reece said:...

VIDEO: CCTV shows legal high users collapsing

CCTV footage showing legal high users stumbling around, falling over and collapsing unconscious in Newcastle's main shopping street is released by police.

Patient appointments during the second day of junior doctor...

AFTER a number of patients rung the hospital to express concern about their appointments at Broomfield Hospital in the second day of the 48 hour strike by junior doctors, the hospital has issued the following advice:"Patients who were contacted prior to the strike, and advised that they were on a stand by list, if the doctors strike goes ahead, please DO NOT attend for your appointment."All other patient appointments, those not contacted, will proceed as normal."The picket line...

BECKY PARKER MURDER: Ex-boyfriend admits killing Essex mum-of-two...

A JILTED lover has admitted for the first time in open court to killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend in a fit of rage while the pair's infant son sat playing in the next room.For four-and-a-half hours today (Wednesday), 24-year-old Matthew Smith stood in the dock, telling the jury, Judge Charles Gratwicke QC and assembled families of both parties about the events of July 17 2015, which left mum-of-two Becky Parker dead in her bathtub.Answering questions from his defence lawyer Craig Rush, Smith,...

Chelmsford vets urge cat and dog owners to microchip pets before...

LAWS requiring all dog owners in Essex to microchip their pets come into force at the end of this month with pet owners facing a fine of up to £500 if they fail to do so.

The law comes into force on April 6 and will require all dogs over eight-weeks-old to have a microchip implanted.

However, a Chelmsford Vets that recently ran an online campaign to find the owners of Bob the cat are urging cat owners to also chip their pets in an attempt to keep track of the more adventurous...

Sports Direct and Home Bargains target Maldon and Blackwater...

BUDGET retailers Sports Direct and Home Bargains are heading to Maldon after the leasing company for a new retail park released updated images of proposed site plans.They will be joining fellow bargain brand Aldi and clothing, footwear, and home products retailer Next, who have already been confirmed at the Blackwater Retail Park off The Causeway.John Parling, a consultant at landowners Aquila, said: "We're really encouraged by the interest in the site. At the moment we're progressing well...

PICTURES: World Book Day in schools across Essex, Chelmsford,...

Essex schools spent last week, and most importantly last Thursday, celebrating the world of literature by dressing up and doing a number of other exciting activities.Schools from all over the county got in touch with the Chronicle to show off the excellent costumes that their pupils had worn for their World Book Day celebrations.From Winnie the Pooh characters taking over Widford Lodge to mark the book's 90th anniversary, to princesses in Meadgate children (with maybe a bit of help from parents)...

MURDER TRIAL: Suspect who killed Essex mum Becky Parker is a...

The mum of murder accused Matthew Smith has claimed that her son is a "wuss" who hated conflict, despite him admitting to the killing of his ex-partner, pregnant mum-of-two Becky Parker.Appearing in court on Thursday afternoon, Linda Smith called Matthew, the younger of her two sons, "timid" and "placid" and described him as someone who "didn't like confrontation and would always stand down".Answering questions from defence barrister Craig Rush, she added:...

Essex schools dress-up for World Book Day

Schools across the county have been celebrating World Book Day today by encouraging staff and students to dress up as their favourite literary characters.From Horrid Henrys and tank engines at St Pius X Catholic Primary in Chelmsford to Mad Hatters and pirates at St Annes Prep popular children's characters have been cropping up all over the county's schools.World Book Day not only gives children and teachers the chance to show their love for different books, it also gives children the chance to...

MURDER TRIAL: Maldon man strangled pregnant ex-girlfriend before...

A JILTED lover strangled his pregnant ex-girlfriend to death before leaving her body in a bath and fleeing the scene with their two children, a court was told today.The body of Isobel 'Becky' Parker was found by younger sister Sarah in her home in Burnham-on-Crouch on the afternoon of July 17, with her ex-partner of six years Matthew Smith arrested later that same day.Smith, 23, admits killing the mum-of-two, who was six months pregnant with a new partner, Shane Anderson, but denies murder on...

Which children's centres could close in your area?

On reviewing the Essex County Council consultation document on the proposed closure of children's centres in Essex, we have compiled a list of those that are set to close in Mid Essex.Take a look through our list of the Chelmsford, Maldon and Braintree children's centres that could be closed in 2017 if Essex County Council's plans go ahead.Children's centres that will close in the Braintree area:Acorn Children's Centre, HalsteadHarlequin's Children's Centre, WithamRainbow Children's Centre,...

Popular ITV show Take Me Out looking for Essex singletons

The hit Saturday night show, Take Me Out, has returned to Essex looking for lovely ladies and gorgeous gentleman to appear on its set. Are you single and fancy a romantic date in the sunny Isle of Fernando? Well you are in luck because presenter Paddy McGuinness is ready to match some more perfect partners. Girls, your perfect man could come down the love lift.Guys, don't your fancy your pick of 30 beautiful dates? Auditions are happening now, so to apply email takemeoutgirls@thames.tv or...