Archive
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Southend man jailed for two years for share swindle
A CONMAN has been jailed for two years for a share scam that swindled 32 people out of £270,000. David Mason, 29, of St James Avenue, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of carrying on a regulated activity without authorisation, one count of making
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Firefighters free man trapped in car on M25 in Thurrock
FIREFIGHTERS were called to help free a man after a crash on the M25. The car left the road and careered down an embankment between junction 30 and 29 at 3.15pm today. The crash caused tailbacks. The man was freed by 5.15pm and
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Delighted drivers force garage to ditch clampers
MOTORISTS are celebrating after forcing a Benfleet garage to ditch its heavy-handed clamping policy. The five motorists are celebrating after Total petrol station, in High Road, announced it was no longer using parking enforcement firm LPC Parking Solutions
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Council seeks a deal for centre’s redevelopment
COUNCIL bosses could offer vast swathes of Southend’s town centre to a single developer as they try to push through ambitious regeneration plans. Chiefs at Southend Council are considering signing up to a partnership with a private firm to bankroll the
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Southend regeneration plan approved by top Tory councillors
A £300million plan to regenerate Southend town centre and seafront has been given the green light by senior councillors. The draft Southend Central Area Action Plan proposes hundreds of new homes, more shops and offices, further pedestrianisation
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Cyclists encouraged to get in the saddle for charity ride
A COUPLE who will celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary by taking part in a bike ride raising cash for Little Havens Children's Hospice are encouraging more riders to join them. Amanda and Chris Stracey will take part in the Essex Countryside
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Winner Paul has wind in his sails
PAUL Martelletti was blown away after winning the Southend Half Marathon on Sunday. The Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets Athletics Club member finished 18 seconds clear of his closest challenger, James Lawler. And that was despite the New
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Police launch interactive speeding map
AN interactive map showing where police have snared motorists' speeding has gone live. The map shows the result of speed checks carried out by traffic cops. It shows how many speeding motorists have been given a verbal warning, asked to complete a speed
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Firefighters called to shed fire in Wickford
FIREFIGHTERS were called to a shed fire in Wickford. Crews from Rayleigh Weir were alerted at 2.35pm thia afternoon to the fire in Station Avenue. Firefighters are currently on scene dealing with the blaze.
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Mann wins fun run at double
JOSH Mann was full of smiles after winning the BTMK 3k fun run for the second year in succession. The 14-year-old, who is a member of Southend Athletics Club, finished in a time of 11 minutes and 21 seconds. And that saw him cross the line one minute
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Neighbours’ joy as drug den and brothel is shut
DRUG addicts were evicted from a council home suspected of doubling up as a brothel. As many as four drug addicts are believed to have been living at 45 Bockingham Green on Basildon’s Felmores estate. The maisonette was found to contain drugs, including
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Cannabis seized in police raid
A HAUL of cannabis was seized by police after they raided a flat. Officers busted down the door of the flat on Tuesday afternoon in Wilson Court of Kershaw Close in Wickford. There they found the stash of the Class B drug. *Full story and pictures
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Stokes gets chance to win pro contract
CONCORD striker Tony Stokes is being lined up for a summer move to League One Hartlepool. The 24-year-old from Canvey scored 25 goals for the Beachboys last season, and will go for a week-trial at Victoria Park on July 17. He was approached by a Hartlepool
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SOS call for rethink on council pool plan
SOUTHEND Swimming Club (SOS) has criticised Southend Council’s handling of the dispute surrounding the use of the new Garon Park swimming pool. The club says the council has not resolved a timetable issue, and has complied a report on the situation which
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Sturrock: Harris is just what Blues need
SOUTHEND United manager Paul Sturrock has expressed his delight at bringing Neil Harris to Roots Hall. The 33-year-old striker has become the Scotsman’s first signing of the summer. And he is sure the former Millwall forward will be a big hit for
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Smith’s pleased as punch
CHADWELL elite class female boxer Nina Smith showed why she’s one of the shortlisted of female fighters vying for a place at next year’s Olympics. The 27-year-old 51kg class fighter from Grays smashed her way through all four rounds of the Class A ABAE
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Modernisation programme delays post
A MODERNISATION programme being rolled out by Royal Mail has been blamed for residents in Thorpe Bay getting their post delivered in the evening. Elaine Bridge, who works for the office of the chairman and chief executive of Royal Mail said
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Phone scam in Southend
Residents are being warned about a telephone scam which is doing the rounds in Southend. The caller, who states they are from BT, threatens to cut off your phone line unless a payment of £31 is made, or a higher payment of £118 will be required
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Inspectors’ word is law
I was amazed to read the planning difficulties with the Disability Essex shed, but having thought about it had a little laugh. When I was making alterations to our house, we had visits by the building inspectors at every stage to ensure everything
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What price is guaranteed?
It would appear my understanding of the English language is not what I thought it was. Virtually every company dealing in the purchase of cars for scrap are endeavouring to outdo each other in their adverts by offering a “guaranteed” amount
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Is eviction for greater good?
It is reported Basildon Council is prepared to spend £8million from its reserves, and the police were to obtain £10million, to remove some 96 traveller families from the illegal Dale Farm traveller site, in Crays Hill. We are now told the council
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Rapist jailed for life
THIS rapist has been jailed for life after attacking teenage girls in Essex and Kent. Khaled Ullah, 21, was sentenced at for sexually assaulting a young teenage girl in Benfleet in July 2008 and a rape in Kent. The Judge said that Ullah
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Is Leigh really the best site for hospice?
I doubt Belton Way, at Leigh, is really the best site for a new hospice, but probably just the cheapest. I am now in my mid sixties and have seen a steady degradation of that piece of land over my lifetime. To those like myself, born and bred
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Don’t lock up the cyclists
F Partridge suggests (June 10) cyclists who ride in Southend’s pedestrian precinct should be given fines or be put in cells for a night. This person has obviously never spent a night in the cells with thieves, rapists, drink drivers and other
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Seafront hotchpotch will not be left alone for long
I agree with Alan Davison and R Lawson (June 7, 9) and share their concerns about Southend seafront. It must have looked dramatic on an architect’s drawing board, but it has serious, predictable problems. The far too narrow two way City Beach
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Woman denies selling unvaccinated puppies
A WOMAN has denied selling unvaccinated puppies which later died from a pet shop. Loretta Bastin, 59, denied at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Tuesaday two separate charges of selling the Yorkshire terriers pups without required vaccinations from Runwell
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Robber wanted by police
POLICE want to trace this robber and send him back to prison. Daniel Slater, 23, previously of Byron Avenue, Southend, has breached the terms of his licence and is wanted for recall to prison. Slater was sentenced to 3 years in for robbery
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Fury as council puts up fees for hall hire
A WEIGHT-loss consultant has slammed a move by Basildon Council to put up the cost of hiring out its community halls. Laura Lee, who runs a weekly Slimming World class at the Billericay Day Centre, has seen the cost of renting the venue soar by almost
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Colleges may be merged in 4 years’ time
TWO of south Essex’s leading colleges could merge by 2015 when a new super campus is built in Basildon. Seevic and South Essex College are looking into a total merger, when it is expected a new campus for 2,500 students is built in the town
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Police appeal following row on train
POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a blazing row on a train. Officers received reports that a nasty arguement broke out between two men on a London to Southend train. They were heard shouting at each other as they got off the train and walked
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Woman charged with seafront stabbing
A WOMAN has been charged following a stabbing on Southend seafront. The 27-year-old woman is alleged to have attacked a 37-year-old man at a house in Eastern Esplanade leaving him with serious wounds to his stomach. She was arrested
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Costs of Canvey road scheme leap by £3.62million
A NEW road on Canvey will now cost taxpayers an extra £3.62million to complete. Essex County Council set aside £14.93million for the scheme to link Roscommon Way with Haven Road aimed at cutting congestion in the area. But because of
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Golf pros take over at Basildon Course
A PAIR of professional golfers have teed off a new era at Basildon Golf Course. New managers Joe James and James Anderson hope to put the course’s recent controversy behind it and create a top-class facility for the community. The course’s lease-holder
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Developers abandon 326-homes scheme in Rochford
JUBILANT residents are celebrating after a developer abandoned plans to build 326 homes on green belt land. Colonnade Land has pulled out of its bid to concrete over Coombes Farm, Rochford, following a two-year battle with neighbours and councillors
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Pedestrian crossing plea for City Beach
A COUNCILLOR is calling for pedestrian crossings to be installed along Southend’s Golden Mile instead of average speed cameras. Peter Wexham wants two crossings at the new City Beach development which he believes will slow down cars more effectively
