A young boy has been assaulted and robbed - for the sake of one Pokemon card. Jonathan Weedon was left winded and upset after the attack outside shops close to his Wickford home. The assault has shocked his mother, Lisa, who now fears the craze is getting
There was mixed news for Southend Manor last night in their bid to win the Schweppes Essex Senior League. Leaders Saffron Walden suffered a shock 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Leyton, but Burnham drew level with the second-placed Southchurch Park club
Great Wakering Rovers will go into Saturday's home game with Corinthian Casuals knowing that victory will gain them first time promotion from the Ryman League Third Division. Injury-hit Rovers, who seemed odds-on favourites for the title a few weeks ago
Havering councillors have locked horns in a passionate row over whether the Union Jack should be seen fluttering proudly above the town hall. All 31 Labour members of Havering Council last week voted down a motion by the Tories to have the national flag
Airport bosses plans to expand Stansted will be met with stiff opposition. Essex County Council has said the capacity of Stansted Airport should stop at 15 million passengers a year. The announcement came after plans to increase the airport to 25 million
The future of the derelict St Mary's Hospital site will be decided as quickly as possible, site owners assured residents. In the wake of last month's devastating fire, concerned members of St Mary's Residents Association had a chance to voice their fears
It was a little like 'after the Lord Mayor's Show' at New Lodge on a cold Monday evening with promotion practically gone and the hard graft of a tough season not bearing the expected fruits of promotion. But to their credit all the City players, who probably
Former Essex cricketer Michael John Bear died on Friday, April 7 in Torquay Hospital, aged 66. Michael, known as 'Micky', joined Essex in 1949 and made his first class debut in 1954 against Derbyshire at Chesterfield. He established a regular place in
An urgent meeting is taking place between Maldon's MP John Whittingdale and Essex Ambulance Service's chief executive to discuss the future of the two stations in the district. Mr Whittingdale, Maldon and East Chelmsford MP, was due to meet with Gron
When Anthony Burgess wrote the first draft of Clockwork Orange in 1960, he was so unimpressed with the ephemerality of the piece that he put it in a drawer and got on with something else. It's a pity he didn't leave it there. Had he done so we would not
Detectives have launched an investigation after a man fell under the wheels of a bus. The victim was dragged under a green Mercedes minibus at the junction of St Michael's Lane and High Street in Braintree. He had been walking along the High Street with
A have-a-go hero fought off a masked robber who threatened him with a handgun. Police praised the efforts of the cashier, who is in his 60s, at Braiswick Service Station, Bergholt Road, in north Colchester. The retired Royal Navy man was working alone
An Essex Police Authority member who gave evidence to the Police Foundation during its inquiry into drugs has called on police to target dealers. County councillor Dennis Ramshaw said that the next stage for the police after stop and search must be to
First Great Eastern Railway has expressed its ''disappointment'' about the lack of information at Chelmsford station on Monday evening, just days before an upgrade begins to transform information standards on the whole network. Passengers bound for London
Police have launched a manhunt for a pony-tailed knifeman who stabbed a walker in Warley between 8.30 and 9.30am on Friday. The victim, a 36-year-old man, had parked his silver S-reg Mercedes car on Chindits Lane and got out to stretch his legs. But as
Overwhelming opposition to Britain's joining a single European currency, and to any further European integration, has been shown by a survey of local residents, claims Maldon and East Chelmsford Conservative MP, John Whittingdale. Mr Whittingdale said
Colchester can expect to have to house around 20 asylum-seekers a month under new government regulations. Members of Colchester Council's new housing, community safety and health policy panel were given the approximate figures last night after commenting
Southend Conservatives have been reported to the Commission for Racial Equality over claims their election leaflets are racist. The leaflet, being circulated to voters in time for the May council elections, accuses the Liberal Democrat and Labour controlled
Police are urging members of the ethnic minorities not to suffer in silence but to follow the lead of other victims. This comes hot on the heels of figures showing a trebling in reports of racially motivated attacks in Havering in the last year. Numbers
A ground-breaking scheme is hoping to keep young offenders on the straight and narrow - by teaching them drama. The project has just gone on trial in mid-Essex. It aims to help persistent young offenders recognise social pressures in their lives through
A 41-year-old man was arrested by armed police in the early hours of this morning after a house siege lasting nine hours. Officers went to a house in Cranley Road, Westcliff, at 7pm yesterday acting on a court warrant issued in Basildon. A police spokesman
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton has defended his players after relegation candidates Blackpool came within an ace of recording their first win at Layer Road. The Tangerines, currently struggling in the Second Division's bottom three, threatened to
Southend United boss Alan Little was able to lavish some rare praise on his team following Saturday's plucky 0-0 draw at Third Division leaders Rotherham United. Blues' players had come underfire from club chairman John Main last week for a string of
The Essex Liberty Trophy dream has been shattered. At Melton Mowbray on Sunday they were beaten in the final 122-109 by a Lancashire team who literally snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Essex stormed into a six shot lead on the first end and were
After Brentwood's recent success at the Essex championships, it was time for those swimmers who had not achieved their Essex qualifying times to add to the club's performances and prove the depth now developing in Brentwood Swimming Club. The Basildon
Centenarian Hilda Poole will celebrate her 100th birthday on Saturday surrounded by family at a Colchester nursing home. Her son-in-law Richard Pettegree said she would be delighted to receive a telegram from the Queen as she is a keen monarchist. Mrs
Little duckling Bethany-Jane Christian splashed to raise cash for needy children. Bethany-Jane, who is just two years old, took part in a sponsored swim to raise money for Romanian orphans. Her proud mum Jane Christian, 31, of Asquith Avenue, Thundersley
Mia-ouch! Unlucky Tilly lost one of her nine lives and needed the attentions of a top team of vets after being either involved in a road traffic accident or trying to tackle a fence. She is now back at home recovering from her ordeal - but not before
A fine 100 per cent record from Ballards Gore's Mark Hooper helped Essex under-16s to a 9-6 win over Herts in their clash for the Cheshunt Salver at Bishop's Stortford. With three of his team missing due to their qualification for the Keating Trophy,
There were high fives all round again at Colchester with five-handicapper Peter Duley taking the April Medal. A week after Nigel Hilliard triumphed off the same mark, Duley brilliantly spreadeagled the field to win by four shots. With conditions again
A deal has been revealed which could save one of Southend's most beautiful and historic buildings from dereliction. An agreement has been reached on the leasehold of the Royal Hotel, a Grade II listed building at the estuary end of Southend High Street
Hatfield Peverel A, who have drifted dangerously close to the relegation zone in recent weeks, concluded their season in division one of the Chelmsford & Distict Table Tennis League, in fine style with two invaluable victories. In a 6-4 victory over
With the uncertainty of the league restructuring for next season, Chelmsford knew that their last two league games of the season could prove crucial. Chelmsford were currently placed just above mid-table and visitors Braintree languishing at the bottom
Saturday saw the Falcon Bowling Club stage its first Junior Gala Day at their Seymour Street, Chelmsford headquarters and several clubs took part. Ipswich Junior Bowls sent four boys, Essex County Westcliff Colts 10, Colchester B.C. eight, Jacks Centre
A loyal worker has said a sad goodbye to the Colchester butchers' shop she has worked at for 61 years. Joyce Pyman, 75, of Mile End, Colchester, has retired from Allen and Son Butchers in St Botolph's Street, and her colleagues thanked her for all her
Police have launched a manhunt for a pony-tailed knifeman who stabbed a walker in Warley between 8.30 and 9.30am on Friday. The victim, a 36-year-old man, had parked his silver S-reg Mercedes car on Chindits Lane and got out to stretch his legs. But as
Young striker Sam Myall turned in an exhibition of finishing Alan Shearer would be proud of as his school won a major local final. St Thomas More School for Boys beat Eastwood 7-1 in the Southend and District schools under-14 cup final - and 13-year-old
Runwell Raiders made it two trips to Roots Hall in a row as they defeated Old Island Boys A in the semi-final of the Charity Cup. The Premier Division runners-up were expecting a tough game against the runaway winners of Division One. But they built up
Ekco First Data's Senior Essex Intermediate League Division One survival hopes suffered a massive setback when they fell to a 4-2 home defeat by fourth-placed Kelvedon Hatch. Search and Pinnion scored for the home side but Hatch prevailed with goals from
At this time of year it is difficult for riders to decide whether to enter races or spend the time training so that they can take advantage of the better weather conditions to come. A few decided to enter for the Saturday event at Bishop's Stortford,
Water bosses have admitted a river could silt up by ten centimetres a month when a controversial scheme gets under way. The Environment Agency has given Essex and Suffolk Water the go-ahead to discharge treated sewage effluent into the River Chelmer.
A Wickford man who sustained head injuries in a dramatic traffic accident in Mountnessing at the weekend has been released from hospital. Now police have appealed for witnesses to the crash. The 20-year-old was a passenger in a car which spun over at
A man about to enjoy a Saturday evening visit to his girlfriend's was punched to the ground by a complete stranger in Cambourne Avenue in Harold Hill. The 29-year-old from Stratford heard a man shout out. He was then approached by the suspect who punched
A Kosovan refugee who was left battered and bloodied by two thugs wielding a hammer still spoke of his respect for the people of Southend. Nrek Kuveni suffered deep gashes to his face and head and bruising to his back after a frenzied attack by two men
City's dream of the treble evaporated on Sunday against the side they look to have pipped to the league championship. On the neutral venue of Saffron Walden F.C., Chelmsford were forced to start the match without two of their players who were held up
The woman hit by a train at Harold Wood Station last week died in spite of the efforts of emergency services to save her, coroners officers have revealed. Margaret Trollope, 59, of Sackville Crescent, Harold Wood, was struck by the 9.40am Liverpool Street-Southend
The new movie which is set to put Essex on the map- Essex Boys, starring Sean Bean and Alex Kingston - was premiered in the West End before a 600-strong audience. It is scheduled for a nationwide release on July 14. The movie is loosely based on the Rettendon
A punch was thrown at pub manager Robert Hamill and cost him a broken jaw and eight teeth, a court heard. The man who delivered the savage blow paid the penalty for Mr Hamill's injuries - an 18-month prison sentence. Stephen Cooper, 30, fell out with
Essex Trading Standards has taken part in a major international law enforcement project to stamp out on-line get rich quick scams. The initiative has been dubbed getrichquick.con and brought together 143 organisations from 27 countries. They swept the
Angry community leaders have pledged to fight to defend Brentwood's threatened ambulance station. Essex Ambulance Service is proposing to shut down some of the county's 31 stations and instead place vehicles at 25 'strategic locations', a move they say
Wembley semis ruin the magic I feel that staging both of the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley Stadium has devalued the world's oldest and most famous knockout competition. Having these two matches played below the twin towers has taken away some of the attractiveness
Efe Sodje's Colchester United career is hanging in the balance after his latest international call-up. The U's defender has been called into the Nigeria squad again to play the second leg of the World Cup qualifier against Eritrea in Lagos on April 22
Traffic congestion will be thrust into the limelight when roads minister Keith Hill pays a visit to Castle Point, it has been revealed. The Government minister is due to take a whistlestop tour of Benfleet and Canvey on Monday, arriving at Tarpots at
Police are warning residents to be extra vigilant after 11 burglaries were reported in 24 hours in Clacton and the surrounding area. Shops and houses were targeted in the break-ins which police are now investigating. A house was broken into in Pork Lane
A son has been given probation for stabbing his father as he lay sleeping after a plea from the victim for leniency. Dennis Edwards woke up at his home in Chestnut Way, Brightlingsea, to find superficial wounds to his neck and chest. And a court heard
A raider wielding a kitchen chopper escaped with £30 of chicken meat from a Chinese takeaway in Chelmsford. The teenager got in through the back of the restaurant in Kings Road on Sunday night at around 6.45pm. Once inside the kitchen he grabbed a chopper
Make sure you leave the car keys at home for this year's spectacular Castle Point beer festival. The borough's first major event of the 21st century looks set to be a huge success and runs from May 9-13 at Runnymede Hall, in Kiln Road, Benfleet. As well
A payment has been authorised by Rochford District Council to a family who took a complaint to the local government watchdog. Following an investigation into a complaint about the family's homelessness application made in 1997, the local government ombudsman
An inquest heard how a middle-aged man died in hospital months after breaking his thigh bone. Tony Poole, 49, who was normally healthy, developed abdominal pains nine months after a routine operation to repair his leg. Colchester Coroner's Court yesterday
Matt Holland was beginning to think he could only score away from home. The Ipswich Town skipper had not struck on his own patch since the 4-1 home defeat against QPR last year. But he's been having rather more success on his travels around the country
Celebration time - from Catholic United 3rd after they had won the Southend Borough Combination's Chautard Cup last night with a 3-1 success over Leigh Ramblers 3rd in the final at Eastwoodbury Lane Picture: MIKE BELLENIE Converted for the new archive
A big question mark hangs over the future of Southend's Southchurch Park as a venue to stage first-class cricket. The threat to the traditional week of county cricket in Southend was revealed by Essex chairman David Acfield as his team prepare to embark
A cheeky thief's efforts to steal a top-of-the-range car were foiled when the rope he was trying to tow it away with snapped. The red-faced culprit was forced to flee empty-handed after his bungled efforts left the £25,000 car stranded on a grass verge
Youngsters bagged themselves a useful gift designed to encourage reading. The pupils from St Joseph's primary school in Stanford-le-Hope are now the proud owners of brand new bags, specially designed for their library books. The books were among 3,000
Schoolchildren have been unleashing their artistic flair with a T-shirt design competition. Pupils from three schools turned up for the final heats of the competition at the Tesco store, in High Street, Southend. But the designs submitted by the young
Forty riders competed at Sunday's promotional meeting, organised by the Braintree BMX Club, in 28 exciting races. There were 13 newcomers to the sport split into two groups plus for the first time, an event for over 25 year olds attracting eight riders
Controversial play equipment in a children's play area is to be removed - at a cost of up to £8,000. The aerial runway in Doggetts Playspace, Rochford, has roused strong feelings from nearby residents who say it has become a focal point for foul-mouthed
There were goals galore in the Southend Junior League Under-11 Premier Division with Dons Academy leading the way with a 12-0 thrashing of Islanders United. Broadmore grabbed three. Paterson and Rumsby both notched hat-tricks as Regis Boys won 10-2 at
A teacher who spent a week at a troubled south Essex school has claimed it was being run by a "gang of teenage thugs". Thomas Thibeault, spent a week at St Chad's in Tilbury last month, starting on the same day as "super heads" John Sherbourne and Dr
Ramblers kept their title hopes alive with Tuesday's home victory over the league's bottom side. However, the performance was as heavy as the unseasonal weather and before the end Ramblers gave their supporters several moments of anxiety. Stansted did
PREMIER DIVISION Braintree & Bocking United beat hosts Hannakins Farm 2-1, and Gary Wright, 16, was the star of the show on his first team debut for Braintree. The home team scored after 30 minutes, and their goal was equalised on the stroke of half
DIVISION ONE CUP FINAL Brookhouse met Woodham Town in Sunday's final, and Brookhouse started well, while Woodham's early riposte's were long shots from Bob Owers and Dave Cornwell. Woodham took the lead, when Julian Dorado latched onto a through ball
Travelling Demon Skater Hockey Club travelling to Dunstable Leisure Centre and with only two Demon teams playing there were mixed fortunes on Sunday. The Demon Shadows were missing their goalkeeper so Alec Fisher elected to go in goal. With a depleted
The 23rd Marconi Short Mat Bowls Club's Tournament attracted a full compliment of 35 Rinks on Saturday. The Round Robin eliminating format consisted of seven groups of five rinks with the winners of each group, plus the best overall runner up qualifying
A multi-million pound scheme set to save up to 10,000 tonnes of household waste annually will not cost council tax payers a penny, insists cash-strapped Havering Council. The scheme, which was launched on Friday, will by the end of the year collect reusable
Billericay has to find a town centre guru to mastermind the forging of a separate identity for the town and guide it into the new century. That's the claim of Billericay Town Council chairman Trevor Stansfield in the vision for Billericay's future he
After his wife died lonely Douglas Stiff spent his life savings on a Colchester prostitute for company - then he tried to kill her. The heartbroken bricklayer gave 42-year-old mother-of-two Linda Denham, of Greenstead, £50,000 for her company for 17 months
Former Great Wakering Rovers and Canvey soccer boss Ben Embery, who still lives on the Island, has quit Jewson League Maldon Town after six years to take over as manager of Ryman Division One side Braintree Town. Applications for the vacant Maldon post
Parkinson's sufferers have received a double boost linking front line care to education on the disease with the appointment of the South East's first specialist practitioner/lecturer. Sarah Morgan, 29, is now working as a Parkinson's Disease nurse specialist
Homeowners are being urged to be on their guard after a smooth-talking conman tricked his way into a pensioner's home. The 86-year-old woman let the man into her home, in Keats Way, Wickford, when he told her he was a water official making an emergency
The tragic death of Runwell Hospital patient Michael Goldwater has thrown the spotlight on staff working with the mentally ill. Three members of nursing staff have been suspended while the new South Essex Mental Health and Community Care NHS Trust launches
Stuart Bingham is hoping the fact that he is staying at the luxurious Swallow Hotel preparing for his first-ever entry into the World Professional Snooker Champion-ship will not see his hopes take a quick dive. The Basildon player will have a worldwide
Billericay Town continue to hold an Indian sign over former manager John Kendall's current club Chesham. Having beaten the Buckinghamshire outfit on their two previous meetings this season, Town earned a point from Tuesday night's Ryman League Premier
They're here. Paras celebrated their arrival at their new home at Colchester Garrison today with a flag-raising ceremony at Meeanee Barracks. The 689 members of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment have moved to Colchester from their previous base in
A young couple have thanked the paramedic who saved their baby's life after she was born on their toilet floor. Lisa and Rawdon Etchells, of Branksome Road, Southend, have given their daughter the second name Shauna in honour of the lifesaving medic,
Great Baddow residents should know within six weeks if they have won their battle to save a playing field from development. They packed the village community centre on Monday to hear the final submissions in the public inquiry into their bid to have the
Essex County Council has hit back at a league table which claims it has the second worst delivery of services in the country. Based on Audit Commission findings, the table ranks the council 33rd out of 34. Spokeswoman Lin Alexander-Pye complained it was
Street lights put up to make an alleyway safer have not been connected to an electricity supply since they were installed six months ago. A scheme to improve Rochford Garden Way in Rochford under the crime and disorder bill resulted in two new street
Harold Hill were competing in their second cup semi-final in the space of a week on Sunday. After the previous week's success in the Senior League Divisional Cup, Harold Hill faced Essex Arms, a team from division two, but were coming into the match on
Ten-minute hat-trick hero Trevor Fitzpatrick cast his thoughts towards next season after firing Blues' reserves to a Roots Hall victory over Bristol City. The 20-year-old striker's second-half treble helped the Shrimpers overturn a two-goal deficit against
Efe Sodje has returned on time to Colchester United after making his international debut for Nigeria. The U's defender, who played a full game in Sunday's 0-0 draw against soccer minnows Eritrea, touched down on Tuesday. It came as a big relief to U's
Watton United's sudden withdrawal from the Jewson League Premier Division may have thrown Harwich and Parkeston a relegation lifeline. The Shrimpers, and fellow strugglers Felixstowe Port and Town, are propping up the division, but the battle to avoid
Finding a genius Just as the sun came out for the weekend, I found myself confined to bed with an unseasonal bout of 'flu. An annoyance, but also a great opportunity to catch up with the backlog of scripts awaiting my attention. I can't risk ignoring
A stunt pilot has landed his plane on the world's smallest aircraft carrier. Martyn Carrington undertook 18 months of training for the daredevil stunt which was carried out by the Kia Aerobatic Stunt Team. Mr Carrington, 26, from Clacton, had to match
Kent Elms made it a hat-trick of victories in the Leigh and Westcliff LTA winter ladies' cup final. Elms previously lifted the trophy in the 1992/93 season and again in 1997/98. This time they beat Hockley - who have never won the competition - three
He floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee. And Colchester United's teenage wonder-kid Lomana Tresor Lua Lua isn't bad when he gets in the boxing ring either. The U's striker visits Colchester Boxing Club at the Wilson Marriage Centre when he's
Devastated members of Shenfield Cricket Club are "absolutely gutted" this week after vandals poured up to 25 litres of motor oil over their pitch. And with the start of the new season just weeks away, club chairman Steve Moseley admits he doesn't yet
Busy police were unable to respond when a thoughtless driver parked across Rob Brandon's driveway in Oaklands Crescent, Chelmsford, and he had to walk to work. So 55-year-old Mr Brandon decided to park across his own driveway to stop the same thing happening
Parents have vowed to take their battle for a new secondary school in the Basildon area to the European courts. Campaign leader Derrick Fellowes maintains the failure to build a new school will mean Essex education authority is failing to provide adequate
A notorious gang of East London drug dealers was behind the Rettendon murders, according to a book by a friend of the victims. Pat Tate, Tony Tucker and Craig Rolfe were gunned down in a vengeance attack by the gang after they ripped them off. They were
Jacob Lurton, 10, a pupil at St Patrick's Roman Catholic School, Collier Row, won the gold medal in both his events at The Southern Counties Amateur Swimming Association Age Group Competition. Jacob's successes came on the one metre and three metre springboards
There were no emergencies this time when Essex's Air Ambulance dropped in to visit Beauchamps School in Wickford, but students were still thrilled to get a close up look at the life-saving helicopter. To add to the excitement at the helm was school old
A hero who averted a horrific train crash in Witham could soon be immortalised in the town centre. Quick-thinking Ben Sainty saved hundreds of lives after the doomed Cromer Express train came off the rails in 1905. The railway worker, who lived in the
