Former Leyton Orient, external footballer Tony Eaton has said he was abused by his coach more than 50 years ago. 

The former player, who lives in Basildon, has said Eddie Heath "behaved inappropriately" during a physiotherapy session when he was 15 years old.

Mr Eaton, who has waived his anonymity, said: "You think you can handle yourself, but this man was 6ft 5in (1.95m) and built like a brick house.

"I won’t let it affect me... but my wife turned around and said it does affect you because you won’t have a man physio touch you."

A man who hit his wife over the head before dousing her body in white spirit and turning on a gas hob will be sentenced for her murder and arson later today.

Image source, Essex Police

Former stockbroker Darren Byrne, 40, of Theydon Bois, had his crimes described as "wicked and heinous" by the judge at Chelmsford Crown Court after being found guilty on Monday.

Maria Byrne, 35, died at the couple's home in Morgan Crescent in February, after finding out her husband had been having an affair, the court heard.

Former Leyton Orient player Tony Eaton has come forward to say he was "touched inappropiately" as a youngster at the club.

He has told BBC Essex that he managed to stop the behaviour.

Southend United say Nile Ranger will be available for selection for Saturday's game at Oldham, after the striker appeared in court yesterday over fraud and money laundering charges. 

The club says the 25-year-old pleaded not guilty and bosses can see "no reason for the issue to affect his playing performance". 

Mr Ranger is next due to appear alongside two other defendants at Wood Green Crown Court in January.

Image source, Southend United FC

A senior Essex Police officer has asked people to be alert, but to continue going about as normal following two seperate incidents involving guns across the county.

Yesterday morning, a gang of men robbed a security van outside Asda in Witham and got away with a six-figure sum of cash. 

A suspected gunman is also still on the run after officers were called to a burglary in Wivenhoe on Tuesday night.

Essex Police have issued a more detailed description of a man reported to have been spotted with a gun in Wivenhoe.

Officers were called to a house in Stanley Road following reports of break-in at around 21:35 on Tuesday and they found a man who appeared to have a firearm. 

He threatened the officers before making off on foot  

The suspect is described as about 30 years old, white, about 6ft (1.8m) tall, slim, with short, light or ash blond hair.

He wore a navy blue quilter bomber-style jacket.  

Police say they're making progress with investigations into a robbery outside the Asda store in Witham yesterday, when an armed gang stole a six-figure sum of money from a security van.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Worron said: "We have already recovered the vehicle that those offenders made off in, a BMW X6, and that will now be subject to forensic examination.

"Clearly we will work to make sure we identify and bring to justice those that are responsible."

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

Good morning and thanks for joining us.

The Assistant Chief Constable has issued a statement reassuring the public, after two separate incidents involving guns in the last few days.

We'll bring you the latest on that, and look ahead to the sentencing which is due to take place of former Essex stockbroker Darren Byrne, who was convicted  earlier this week at Chelmsford Crown Court, of murdering his wife.

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

It'll be cloudier than yesterday, but still feeling mild for the time of year, and it'll stay dry. 

The thickest cloud will be towards the west of the region, with the best of any brightness towards eastern counties.

Top temperature between 7C and 10C (45F - 50F).

Watch the full regional forecast here:

Regular updates for Essex Live have now finished - here are our top stories from today:

• Southend United striker Nile Ranger has appeared in court charged with fraud and money laundering
• Diesel that leaked from Southend Hospital and went into the Prittle Brook is not of any significant threat to wildlife, the Environment Agency says 
• Police are continuing to search for an armed gang that raided a security van outside an Asda supermarket in Witham

We return tomorrow from 08:00, but watch this page for any breaking news overnight.

See you then.

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

Staying dry with clear skies across the region for the first part of the evening.

The risk of some mist and fog patches but tonight is expected to be colder than last night.

Temperatures down to about 4C (39F).

Tomorrow will be rather cloudy, but staying dry for most. 

Highs of 10C (50F).

Get your local forecast from BBC Weather.

Footballer Nile Ranger is charged over an alleged phone scam involving a vulnerable person's bank details being taken so their savings could be accessed.

An armed gang that stole a six-figure sum of money from a security van at an Asda supermarket earlier today posed no threat to the public, police say.

The perpetrators are said to have targeted two Loomis security guards as they delivered cash to this store in Highfields Road, Witham, this morning. 

Ass Ch Con Steve Worron said: "We would ask residents to be vigilant and alert, but not alarmed and to go about their daily business as usual."

Commenting on a separate incident, Mr Worron said a man on the run after being seen with a gun in Wivenhoe also does not pose any further threat.

No arrests have been made in either case.

A man is convicted of murder after he stabbed an uncle protecting his niece from unwanted attention.

Diesel that leaked from Southend Hospital and went into the Prittle Brook is not of any significant threat to wildlife, the Environment Agency says.

The agency says it is using oil absorbent booms in the brook to remove any traces of the fuel. 

A spokesman said it had also advised the hospital on its drainage system.

Richard Smith
BBC Essex

Police remain at the property in Wivenhoe officers were alerted to last night, after reports that a man had a gun.

The force attended the house in Stanley Road after reports of a break-in. When they arrived they were confronted with a man who appeared to be holding a firearm. 

The suspect is said to have got away on foot and officers are continuing their searches this afternoon.

No arrests have been made.

Braintree sign Norwich City youngster Ebou Adams on a month-long youth loan, with a view to extending it in January.

Wards evacuated after diesel spilled into the maternity unit at Southend Hospital yesterday have now reopened, the hospital has confirmed.

The whole hospital, including its A&E, had to be closed after a 1,000 litre fuel tank used for the heating in the Cardigan Wing began leaking. 

Jan China, director of estates and facilities management, said: "We are continuing with our urgent investigation of the cause and impact of yesterday's diesel fuel leak."

The hospital also confirmed it was aware that the spill had entered the Prittle Brook and "boom barriers" had been put in place to minimise the impact.

The number of people out of work and claiming benefits in Essex has fallen slightly, new figures show.

Image source, Getty Images

In total, 15,620 people were unemployed in Essex in November, that's a drop of 120 on the previous month.

Nationally, the unemployment rate has fallen to a 10 year low and average weekly earnings excluding bonuses rose by 2.6%.

Leaked diesel that led to the closure of Southend Hospital yesterday afternoon could have contaminated the water at a nearby park, the borough council says.

The Environment Agency is currently working to remove traces of fuel discovered in the brook at Priory Park. 

Mark Flewitt, from Southend Borough Council, said: "The situation is safely under control. As a precaution, we have placed signs advising dog walkers to keep their dogs away from the water until this work is complete."

We have contacted the Environment Agency for further details.