Updates on Friday, 13 May 2016
Former milkman Brett Rogers is sentenced to 32 years in prison for murdering his mother and her friend
Gillian Phillips, 54, and David Oakes, 60, had more than 40 stab wounds each when police found them in Stansted Mountfitchet in 2015
Judge Philippa Whipple QC said the 23-year-old had murdered his mother in a "brutal and sustained attack"
More news, sport, travel and weather updates from 08:00 on Monday
It will be bright in Essex this afternoon, with some sunny spells. However it will be a little cooler than previous days, particularly in the brisk northerly breeze.
Maximum temperature: 21C (70F).
You can get the very latest forecast from BBC Weather.
Jack Warren
BBC Local Live
We're going to take a break from our coverage of the Brett Rogers double-murder verdict for now.
We'll be back at Chelmsford Crown Court at 14:00 for the sentencing.
Coming up... a look at some of the other stories taking place in Essex today.
Chris Flynn
BBC Essex
Brett Rogers committed the double murder just four months after he was released from prison for a previous attack on his father Peter.
Image source, Essex PoliceDuring the trial, which lasted just over a week, Rogers, who had claimed somebody else had sneaked into his mother's home and committed the murders, attacked the security guards beside him in the dock.
The jury at Chelmsford Crown Court also heard the 23-year-old was found at his mother's home in Bentfield Gardens in July 2015 laughing and covered in blood.
Chris Flynn
BBC Essex
As I watched from the press bench Brett Rogers sat unmoved as he was convicted of killing his mother and her friend at Chelmsford Crown Court this morning.
The 23-year-old looked straight ahead as the double-murder verdict was read out.
Chris Flynn
BBC Essex
Brett Rogers, 23, will be sentenced for the murder of his mother and her friend later this afternoon.
He was found guilty on both counts of murder by a jury of eight women and four men and Chelmsford Crown Court just after 11:00.
We're expecting that sentencing to take place here from about 14:00.
Chris Flynn
BBC Essex
Former milkman Brett Rogers, 23, has been found guilty of murdering his mother and her friend.
Gillian Phillips, 54, and David Oakes, 60, had more than 40 stab wounds each when police found them in Stansted Mountfitchet in 2015.
Mrs Phillips' son Brett Rogers denied the murders, but was found guilty by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court a few minutes ago.
A former milkman has been found guilty of murdering his mother and her friend by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court.
More to follow...
A 21-year-old woman has been banned for keeping animals for three years after abandoning a cat and four kittens at a property in Colchester.
Image source, RSPCAThe animals were reported by a member of the public to the RSPCA in August last year. Upon arrival inspectors found some of the cats were eating rubbish, Colchester Magistrates' Court heard.
Lisa Tebbs, of Bourne Court, pleaded guilty to two offences under section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, external which deals with the duty of a person responsible for an animal to ensure its welfare.
She was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
Glenn Speller
BBC Essex Sport
Back to our story now about the Cowley brothers leaving Braintree... and it's no surprise they've caught the attention of other clubs after three promotions with Concord and a stunning third-place finish with Braintree on one of the National League's smallest budgets.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe slight surprise is it being Lincoln who've managed to snare them. Other clubs were rumoured to be interested with Tranmere and Notts County in the frame, but it's Lincoln who showed the courage of their convictions and put money on the table.
It's a risk for the brothers with Lincoln's budget by no means the biggest and they're now at a club with higher expectations. But, knowing the amount of detail they go into and hard work they put in, I would expect them to be a success.
A Samaritans' van destroyed in a fire last month could cost over £20,000 to replace, according to the charity's deputy director in Chelmsford and Mid-Essex, external.
Image source, Chelmsford and Mid-Essex SamaritansThe "SamVan" has been used for fundraising at events such as V-Festival for the past 20 years. Although £4,000 has been paid out through insurance, the charity predicts a new vehicle could cost £21,000.
"We need it to look after people", said Kim Hodges. "We are desperate for funds to replace our much needed and loved van."
Chris Flynn
BBC Essex
The jury in the trial of a former milkman who is accused of murdering his mother and her friend in Stansted Mountfitchet last summer will continue to consider its verdict this morning.
Brett Rogers, 23, of Bentfield Gardens in the village, denies stabbing Gillian Phillips and David Oakes at her home last July.
The jury will continue deliberations at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Braintree Town chairman Lee Harding says he "supports" manager Danny Cowley's decision to resign from the club.
Cowley, who helped the Iron reach the National League play-offs, left the club yesterday along with his brother Nicky. It's expected they'll join Lincoln City later today.
Mr Harding told BBC Essex: "If they decide the package they're being offered is worthwhile giving up what they do in their day job then it's a big step for them and I hope they get it right."
Ben Fryer
BBC Essex sport
Braintree Town manager Danny Cowley and his assistant Nicky Cowley have resigned from their roles.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe brothers are expected to be unveiled as the new management team of National League rivals Lincoln City later today.
The pair led part-time Braintree to the play-offs in his first season in charge, where they lost to Grimsby.
A 47-year old man is due in court later charged with murder and arson following a fire in Westcliff-on-Sea in which a woman and her unborn baby died.
The blaze at the Grampian flats in Balmoral Road broke out late on Saturday night. Expectant mother Khabi Abrey, 30, died two days later.
Lillo Troisi, who's unemployed and from Balmoral Road, will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court charged with murder and two counts of arson.
Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather
A cloudy and grey start for some places. This cloud will lift and break to give some bright spells through the day. A little cooler than previous days, especially as a northerly breeze develops later on.
Maximum temperature: 20C (68F).
You can stay up-to-date with the latest forecast via BBC Weather.
Two Essex Police officers, who lied about their search for a pedestrian on the A12 who later died, have been sacked.
Image source, GoogleKyle Brooks, from Harlow, was struck by vehicles on the A12 near Hatfield Peverel in October 2014.
Stanway-based PC Joanne Jeggo and PC John Simpson attended after reports came in of a man walking on the road.The two officers had made false statements about seeking more information about the man's whereabouts, a misconduct panel heard.
Sonia Watson
BBC Essex
Here's a first look at the top stories from Essex this morning:
Jack Warren
BBC Local Live
Welcome to Local Live on Friday 13 May (unlucky for some, but hopefully not us).
We'll be here until 18:00 with the latest news for the county.
If you'd like to get in touch you can tweet us, external, email us, or visit our Facebook page, external.
