Essex cannabis farmer paid in heroin fails in bid to have...

A cannabis farmer jailed after drugs worth up to £325,000 were uncovered in a warehouse has failed in a bid to get his four-year jail term slashed.Drug addict Donald Lovesey was paid in heroin to help set up the industrial-scale cannabis factory in a unit at Springfield Industrial Estate, Burnham-on-Crouch.The south west-Londoner was one of three men caught by police after officers raided the unit on November 21, 2014, but two heart attacks meant the 52-year-old saw little profit from the...

Maldon Festival announces complete line up ahead of fortnight of...

An actress whose credits include Downton Abbey and Sky's Stella, will be headlining the Maldon Festival which this year will be celebrating Shakespeare's 400th anniversary.DI Botcher, who has also appeared on Coronation Street and Little Britain, will be appearing as one of the speakers in Walton's Façade.Walton's Façade is a series of spoken poems accompanied by music, provided by New London Chamber Ensemble, and will take place at St Mary's Church, Maldon, on Saturday, July 2 and...

Joey Essex resits GCSE at Moulsham High School

Cameras followed Former The Only Way Is Essex star Joey Essex into a Chelmsford school to resit a GCSE.
Moulsham High School welcomed the reality TV star through their gates and helped him experience what it is like to study for GCSEs in today's secondary schools.
Joey Essex met with head teacher Mark Farmer for advice on the school's expectations regarding student behaviour and how he would be expected to conform, just like any other student.

His day involved sitting in on a range of GCSE...

Burnham drink driver Michael Smith banned after crashing into two...

A motorist who crashed his car into two properties, once while drink driving, has been banned from driving for two years. Michael Smith, 46, of Glendale Road, Burnham, appeared in Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Friday for sentencing after pleading guilty to two counts of driving without due care and attention, one of driving whilst unfit through drink and one of failing to stop after an accident. The first crash took place on March 20 when Smith, who has been unable to work since he was 16 due...

Essex storm: the most spectacular photos

Essex is still recovering from the electrical light show and torrential rain in the powerful thunder storms on Sunday night (June 12).The thunder and lightning began at around 8.30pm until late into the evening causing localised flooding, power outages, and some spectacular views.A Met Office weather warning has been issued for Monday (June 13) warning that storms could affect the county and the whole of the east of England throughout the day and into the evening.Many of you sent us amazing...

Giant hogweed warning for Essex after youngsters burned by...

Essex residents are on high alert for one of Britain's most dangerous plants, giant hogweed, after a series of injuries were reported across the country. Giant hogweed was originally brought to the UK from Central Asia in 1893 and now commonly grows on riverbanks and wasteland.It was spotted across Essex, including in Chelmsford's Central Park and in Hutton, near Brentwood, in June of last year, and is set to return to our landscape this summer.Its leaves, stems, roots, flowers and seeds contain...

Who has been in court lately from Chelmsford, Maldon, Braintree,...

Here is a round up of court cases heard in April and May.Communication offencesJAN YOUNG, 35, of Western Road, Burnham on Crouch, was given a community order for sending a message at Southminster on March 11 that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character. He must attend appointments with a responsible officer or participate in any activity required up to a maximum of 20 days, and was given a restraining order not to contact his victim in any way. He was fined...