Helen Burchell
BBC News

A police officer is celebrating his last day on the job by revisiting his former workplaces and reliving key moments of his 30-year career.

Image source, Essex Police

During his time with Essex Police, PC Paul Gridley, 48, has been a firearms officer, helicopter crew member, traffic officer and driving instructor. 

He is spending his final day revisiting old bases and trying on some of the various uniforms (see picture above) that he has worn over the years. 

He said he had "enjoyed every minute of my career and would do it all again".

Laurence Cawley
BBC News

It took the two sitting JPs here at Colchester Magistrates' Court just two minutes to deliberate and decide on the sentence handed down on a young man found guilty of driving without insurance and having a faulty exhaust. 

Jordan Davis, 19, of Thaxted Walk in Colchester, drove the car twice on successive days in April. 

The court heard that he did not realise he was uninsured at the time. 

Magistrates banned him from driving for six months, fined him £500, told him to pay £90 in costs and a £30 victim surcharge. 

The total time for today's hearing was 20 minutes.

Laurence Cawley
BBC News

The prison protest earlier this week, when officers stood down and only emergency cover was provided, has had a knock-on effect on courts as cases for that day were postponed.

I'm being told by Essex defence lawyer Caroline Woodley that the strike by prison staff meant a number of court cases involving those on remand did not go ahead. 

The full impact of the action on our cases in Essex is not yet known. 

Ms Woodley said all prison visits by legal representatives to see their clients were also cancelled.

Laurence Cawley
BBC News

Colchester Magistrates' Court has about 24 cases to deal with today, according to the court listings released yesterday afternoon.

Court one, where I am, had 11 cases listed dealing with defendants variously charged with driving offences, drunk and disorderly and assaults.

Staff are still checking who is in and ready for their cases to be dealt with.

If any other cases came in overnight, then they may be added to the court list.

Laurence Cawley
BBC News

So far it seems very quiet in Colchester Magistrates' Court.

There are about 20 people milling around outside the courtrooms.

I understand one of the lawyers has had problems with his laptop, so has popped out to try and fix it.

Laurence Cawley
BBC News

A BBC investigation into courts data last year revealed a warning from magistrates/Justices of the Peace that the criminal justice system was "on the cusp" of breaking down amid growing delays, court closures and funding cuts.

One year on, and the average time taken to complete magistrate cases in England has risen 6% from 151 to 159 days.

The Ministry of Justice figures reveal that while there has a been a small increase in the average time courts take to deal with cases, the amount of time between a defendant being charged and being listed for court has risen by two days.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

A Methodist minister, whose niece was killed on a pedestrian crossing by a driver who was believed to have poor vision, is campaigning for a change in the law requiring regular eye tests for the over-60s.

Image source, PA

Natalie Wade was knocked down and killed in Rochford in 2006 while shopping for her wedding dress.

The driver was said to only have partial vision, but he died before going on trial.

Ms Wade's aunt, the Rev Brenda Gutberlet, from Canvey, said the problem is if someone is partially-sighted they can still be on the road. 

Sometimes peripheral vision goes and that's particularly dangerous, she said. 

"Recent research shows that drivers can lose up to 45% of their eyesight before they realise it," she said. 

"It's not just about older people but the condition can affect people at any age."

Laurence Cawley
BBC News

Today we have BBC News Online reporter Laurence Cawley at Colchester Magistrates Court monitoring the workings of justice in Essex after a victim support charity branded the system as damaging "the public's confidence".

Image source, Google

So what's the courts picture like in Essex? Well, the county is divided into two local justice areas - one for the north and one for the south. 

When it comes to dealing with offences through magistrates, north Essex is the sixth slowest in England taking 204 days on average between an offence being committed and the court case being dealt with. 

South Essex, which takes 199 days, is the ninth slowest in England.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

An Essex woman, whose niece was killed 10 years ago by a driver who was partially-sighted, has pledged to keep up her campaigning for a change in the law.

Natalie Wade, 28, of Rochford, was fatally hit on a pelican crossing near her home as she shopped for her wedding dress in February 2006. 

John Thorpe, 78, had been due to stand trial for causing death by dangerous driving, but died before the case reached court. 

Natalie's aunt, the Reverend Brenda Gutberlet from Canvey, has been campaigning for greater awareness of the dangers of driving with visual problems and is working with local Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris to try and change the law.

Kate Kinsella
BBC Look East weather

After a mild start, cold weather will feed in during the course of the day.

There'll be blustery showers, which could contain hail and thunder this afternoon, and also some sunny spells.

A cold wind means temperatures will struggle to reach a maximum of 10C (50F).

Watch my full regional forecast here:

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

It's a different approach today. As well as covering the news, sport, weather and travel across the county we have a reporter in magistrates court filing about activities, delays and some of the cases being heard.

A victim's charity claims growing court delays are damaging "the public's confidence in the criminal justice system" and some magistrates have said courts are on the "cusp of breakdown".

We are going to find out what happens on a "normal day" in court.

But we will still bring you the usual service and we aim to cover these stories:

• Media briefing on plans to improve the M25 junction 28 for the A12.
• Essex woman whose niece was killed by a partially-sighted driver campaigns for a change in the law
• Police find cannabis factory after neighbours raised the alarm about suspected burglars

You can get in touch to comment and tell us about your stories by email, Facebook, external and Twitter, external.

That's it from us at Essex Live - thanks for stopping by.

Here are the top stories we've covered today: 

• An "extremely rare" gold coin has sold for £225,000 at auction in Epping
• There have been severe delays on the Essex stretch of the M25 following an oil spillage
• Southend United have been fined £3,000 for failing to field a full-strength team in the Checkatrade Trophy, the English Football League has announced

We'll leave you with the immense sunset that graced Clacton a shortwhile ago. 

Goodnight!

Enter your team to see how the cost of following your club compares with other teams and how much you might spend this year.

It's been quite a sunset in parts of Essex this evening it seems. 

Thanks to @drumon25, external who has tweeted us these pictures from Southend.

Image source, @drumon25

Image source, @drumon25

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

Tonight will be rather cloudy with scattered showers, some of which will be heavy, but which will clear southwards later.

Later, a breeze will pick up, which should prevent a frost forming, with a low of 4C (39F). 

A breeze will continue into tomorrow, with some showers or longer spells of rain and a high of 12C (39F).

Glenn Speller
BBC Essex sport

Southend United are one of 12 clubs who have been fined for not fielding a full-strength team in the Checkatrade Trophy, it has been announced.

The English Football League rules say teams must include at least five players who've played in the previous game.

The Blues are said to have failed to put out a full-strength side against Stevenage, despite having already qualified for the next stage of the competition.

The Shrimpers have the right to appeal the £3,000 fine.

Image source, Getty Images

The BBC Essex building has been wrapped in a giant yellow ribbon for BBC Children in Need. 

Can you guess its length for a chance to win a VIP trip to our radio station? 

Breakfast host Sadie Nine explains all you need to know.

Southend United have been fined £3,000 for failing to field a full-strength team in the Checkatrade Trophy, the English Football League has announced, external. 

More to follow. 

People have been congratulating Essex Apprentice winner Ricky Martin on getting engaged today, despite the fact he isn't getting hitched. 

They're actually meant for the Puerto Rican pop star Ricky Martin - who has announced he's tying the knot with partner Jwan Yosef.

A rare coin made of gold seized from a treasure ship in 1702 has sold on a "record-breaking" sale. 

Image source, Google

The Queen Anne Vigo five guinea went under the hammer in Epping earlier today and fetched a staggering £225,000.

Gregory Tong from Boningtons, said: "The coin is only the sixth example of its type to be offered for sale in the last 50 years.

"It has broken Boningtons' house record of £200,000 set by the sale of a painting by Sir Winston Churchill earlier this year."