SOUTH Essex has seen a number of shocking and frightening crimes this year.

Here are six crimes which shook residents across south Essex:

1. Grays attack:

Back in July, two teenagers were jailed after ruthlessly dragging a taxi driver out of his car and stomping on him repeatedly in Grays.

Edward Wall, 19, of, Webster Road, Stanford-le-Hope and Ollie McKenzie, 19, of, Stour Road, Grays were charged with GBH, before later being sentenced at Basildon Crown Court.

The victim suffered several injuries including a fractured left eye socket and nasal bone fractures, with his eye closed for more than a week from swelling.

Wall was sentenced to five years imprisonment for the GBH and ABH charges and Mckenzie was jailed for three years and nine months.

2. Canewdon stabbing:

Back in April, two violent thugs were jailed after hosting a man hostage and repeatedly stabbing him during a horrific attack in Canewdon.

Wayne Kavanagh, 31, of West Road, Shoebury, and Thomas Sitek, 27, of Elmsleigh Drive, Leigh, were sentenced at Southend Crown Court, where it was heard how the pair tied up the victim for an hour after he was stabbed, beaten, and attempted to cut off his ear.

The attackers recorded the incident, and the footage was played during the sentencing hearing, alongside body-worn video from police arriving at the scene.

Kavanagh was sentenced to 14 years and eight months and Sitek was sentenced to ten years in prison.

3. Eastwood murder probe:

Back in November, Essex Police launched a murder investigation following reports of an assault in Whitehouse Meadow, Eastwood.

When police attended, they located a woman who had sustained serious injuries in the garden of a property.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics at the scene, the woman aged 60s was declared dead.

An investigation was launched into her death, and a man has since been charged with murder.

4. Canvey attempted murder probe:

Back in November, an attempted murder probe was launched after an allegedly assault on a police officer on Canvey.

Whilst responding to a report in the area at around 4am on November 4, a Police Constable was assaulted.

A man was arrested at the scene and has since been charged with attempted murder in connection with this investigation.

5. Canvey murder:

Back in February, a murder investigation was launched after a man in his 40s died after being assaulted near to The Haystack pub on Canvey.

Matt Portwood, 42, was fatally assaulted as he sought to step in to try and break up a fight in the car park.

One of the men, Jamie-Lee Lewis, 24, pushed Matt up against a hoarding and stabbed him in the neck.

Lewis was later found guilty of murder in October following a trial at Basildon Crown Court.

6. Southend double stabbing:

Back in May, two men were hospitalised with stab wounds following an incident outside a nightclub in Southend.

Essex Police were called to the scene just before 4am on May 13, following reports of two men being assaulted.

The two victims both suffered stab wounds and required hospital treatment.

An 18-year-old man from Wickford was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent.