Summary

  • Updates on Friday, 15 April 2016

  • The trial of a teenager accused of murdering James Attfield and Nahid Almanea in Colchester two years ago enters its fifth day

  • A sofa is hurled at a police car during a chase with a builder's van in Ingatestone

  • People living near Chelmsford Prison receive letters asking them to keep an eye out for people trying to smuggle drugs in to the jail

  • There are warnings the Essex coast faces being targeted by migrants after two Iranians were rescued from an inflatable dinghy off the coast of Dover

  • More news, sport, travel and weather updates from 08:00 on Monday

Live Reporting

  1. Colchester double murder accused described as 'a thug'

    Charlotte Rose
    BBC Essex

    The trial of a teenager accused of murdering two people in Colchester has heard a school teacher described him as "a thug".

    Nahid Almanea and James AttfieldEssex Police

    The 17-year-old admits killing James Attfield and Nahid Almanea in 2014, but denies murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

    Guildford Crown Court has heard evidence from Dr Simon Misch, who said the boy's school reports talked of him "head butting, kicking other pupils and throwing furniture".

  2. Travel: Flooding affecting B1383 in Newport

    BBC Travel

    The B1383 in Newport is flooded and just about passable between Bury Water Lane and the B1052 Sparrowsend Hill in Shortgrove.

    Check the latest travel news for the county here.

  3. Chelmsford Prison 'notorious' for contraband goods, former inmate claims

    Robby West
    BBC Essex

    A former Chelmsford Prison inmate says the jail is "notorious" for being "flooded" with contraband goods like mobile phones and synthetic cannabis.

    A letter has been sent to people who live nearby asking them for their help in tackling the "supply of illicit articles coming into the prison" after "numerous incidents" of parcels being thrown over the walls.

    Letter sent to people who live near Chelmsford Prison

    The Ministry of Justice said its staff worked extremely hard to stop contraband getting into prisons, and remained vigilant to all threats to security.

  4. Chief constable praises actions of bank staff

    The chief constable of Essex Police has thanked staff at a branch of Lloyds Bank in Billericay after they saw an "elderly gent" being taken to get money out by "parasitic thieves" and called police.

    The county's police and crime commissioner, Nick Alston, also tweeted his thanks, adding: "Let's all help those who may be vulnerable stay safe".

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  5. Migrant warning for Essex coast after Dover dinghy rescue

    There are warnings the Essex coast faces being targeted by migrants after two Iranians were rescued from an inflatable dinghy off the coast of Dover.

    Map of France and Kent

    Earlier this week, the National Crime Agency warned people smugglers were targeting less busy ports and stretches of beach including Tilbury and Purfleet.

    Security expert Prof Anthony Glees, from the University of Buckingham, said "the beaches of Essex" could be a target "where people had the motivation and the craft".  

  6. Southend boss hopeful goalkeeper Dan Bentley will stay with club

    Nick Alliker
    BBC Essex Sport

    Southend United manager Phil Brown says he's still hopeful goalkeeper Dan Bentley will sign a new contract with the Blues.

    Dan BentleyPA

    The shot-stopper's current deal is due to expire at the end of the season. 

    "I'm not resigned to losing him at all. We'll be putting in a final offer before the end of the season to see if we can win him over," Brown said.

  7. Prison neighbour says package-throwing issue is 'getting quite bad'

    Robby West
    BBC Essex

    A woman who lives near Chelmsford Prison says she has witnessed people throwing packages over the walls of the jail four times in two weeks.

    Chelmsford PrisonGoogle

    The woman, who did not wish to give her name, said the problem was "getting quite bad".

    The prison sent a letter to residents asking them to help stop the amount of drugs and contraband getting into the site, saying there had been numerous incidents of what is known as "throw overs".

  8. Travel: Two-car crash blocking lane on A12

    BBC Travel

    A crash involving two cars has blocked one lane of the southbound A12 between junction 19 for Boreham and junction 20a for Hatfield Peverel.

    Check the latest travel news for the county here.

  9. Colchester double murder trial enters fifth day

    Charlotte Rose
    BBC Essex

    The trial of a teenager accused of murdering James Attfield and Nahid Almanea in Colchester two years ago is entering its fifth day. 

    The 17-year-old, who can't be named because of his age, admits manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, but denies murder.

    Yesterday Guildford Crown Court heard he told a psychiatrist he "felt possessed by the devil".

  10. Prison asks neighbours to watch out for drugs smuggling

    Robby West
    BBC Essex

    People living near Chelmsford Prison have been sent letters asking them to keep an eye out for people trying to smuggle drugs in to the jail.

    The letter says there have been numerous cases of packages being thrown over the walls recently.

    Chelmsford PrisonPA

    In a statement, the Ministry of Justice said it remained "constantly vigilant to all threats to prison security" and those caught smuggling packages could face up to two years in prison.

  11. Headlines: Prison makes neighbours drug-smuggling plea... Colchester murder trial into fifth day

    Sonia Watson
    BBC Essex

    Here are the stories making the headlines in Essex this morning:

    • People living near Chelmsford Prison have been sent letters asking them to keep an eye out for people trying to smuggle drugs in to the jail
    • The trial of a teenager accused of murdering James Attfield and Nahid Almanea in Colchester two years ago is entering its fifth day
    • There are warnings the Essex coast faces being targeted by migrants after two Iranians were rescued from an inflatable dinghy off the coast of Dover

  12. Weather: Murky start with a risk of hail and thunder later

    Elizabeth Rizzini
    BBC Look East weather

    There's good news and there's bad news. The good news is, it's Friday.

    The bad news is, the murky start we've got off to today is set to stay with us - the showers might turn heavy this afternoon and there will be the risk of hail and thunder.

    If you'd like a more detailed forecast, you can check the BBC Weather site.

  13. Welcome to today's Essex Live page

    Jodie Smith
    BBC News

    Hello! Welcome to Friday's live page for Essex, where we'll bring you updates about news, sport, travel and all sorts of other things until 18:00.

    You've probably noticed the weather's not looking too clever this morning, so we'll keep you up-to-date with the forecast too.

    If you'd like to get in touch you can email us, tweet us, or visit our Facebook page.