The key court cases heard in south Essex this week

Of the cases heard at Southend and Basildon courts, these are the most bizarre and serious crimes committed in the south of the county.

Here is a rundown of some of the key cases heard in the crown and magistrates' courts this week.

The death of Iris Sage

Iris Sage was using the pedestrian crossing in Alma Link, Billericay, when she was struck by a Ford Transit van on July 29, 2019.

Sadly the 75-year-old died in hospital later that evening.

The driver, Lyle Wheeler, had taken a wrong turning and had planned to make a U-turn.

But as he did so, he failed to see Mrs Sage, who was using the zebra crossing.

He stopped and called emergency services and she was taken to hospital with head and leg injuries but sadly died despite the efforts of medical staff.

Wheeler was eventually spared jail.

Thomas Mann

42-year-old Thomas Mann of Kenley Close, Wickford took part in shifting on stolen goods from an amateur radio society for his own personal gain.

Basildon Magistrates’ Court heard that between January 18 and March 26, he handled radio equipment stolen from the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society.

The total amount of equipment was worth more than £2,000.

Read more here.

Richard Johnson

Johnson sprinted from the scene of a hammer attack on a woman, her husband and son, shouting abuse.

The 29-year-old’s victims were the family of Joshua Gould, from Tilbury, who in January 2019 admitted possessing thousands of indecent images of children and attempted rape of a child.

Johnson admitted aggravated burglary following the incident on August 13 last year in Tilbury and was jailed at Basildon Crown Court.

The court heard he posed as a delivery driver, before launching the attack with a hammer that he had hidden within his clothes.

He was jailed for ten years.

Christopher French

French has been jailed after a rampage around Basildon and Braintree to steal a strange array of items of food, drink and toiletries.

The 31-year-old of Longwick, Langdon Hills carried out his spree over five separate days, which also saw him attack a man when confronted.

The stolen items included face coverings and roast chicken.

Read more here.

Michael Conreen

Michael Conreen Jnr had been drinking all day on June 20 last year when he went to his father’s address in MacDonald Avenue, Westcliff.

Once inside he told his father they were going to have a drink together but when his father said he had no money the-28 year-old became violent.

He punched the victim in his head, hit him with a six-inch thick chain bike lock, and then attacked him with an eight-inch kitchen knife.

He was jailed for three years.

Adam Deer

Adam Deer was sent to Basildon Magistrates’ Court for sentence after admitting assault by beating and harassment on December 5 last year.

The 30-year-old of Conway Avenue, Great Wakering carried out the crimes in Great Wakering and Southend.

The court heard that Deer had sent a series of phone calls and messages to the man which were intimidating in nature.

The court found that Deer would have known that the type of messages he was sending amounted to harassment.

He then visited the man in Southend and attacked him.

Deer was arrested after the attack and was subsequently charged with the crimes.

The magistrates’ bench said that the offences were aggravated due to Deer harassing and assaulted him on the same day.

The court also heard Deer had travelled from Great Wakering and attacked the man in his own home.

The magistrates’ bench said the offence was “so serious” that it would normally be dealt with by an immediate spell behind bars.

However, due to Deer admitting his crimes they chose to suspend the sentence. He was given one year and four months suspended for 18 months.

Deer must also carry out 35 days of rehabilitation and will be under supervision for the period of suspension.

He must also complete 140 hours of unpaid work which will be supervised by the probation service.