Southend striker Nile Ranger has appeared in court today, charged over an alleged scam involving a vulnerable person's bank details being taken so their savings could be accessed.

Image source, SOUTHEND UNITED FC

The 25-year-old, who recently signed a new contract with the Shrimpers until 2020, appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court earlier.

The case was referred to Wood Green Crown Court, where he's due to appear on 11 January.

The sister of Daniel Mitchell-Monroe has paid tribute to her brother, after his killer was found guilty of murder today.

Dionne Martin said: "Daniel always said he would give up his life for his family, and he did. 

"He was my everything. No amount of justice will ever give me comfort."

Mr Mitchell-Monroe died from stab wounds to his chest after he was attacked by Joram Bakumanya in Basildon town centre in June.

Ms Martin added: "All I have of my brother are the last couple of text messages he sent me."He truly was one in a million, a very special person who forever will be loved and missed."

A man has been found guilty of murdering a 37-year-old man in Basildon town centre.

Image source, Essex Police

Daniel Mitchell-Monroe died from stab wounds to his chest following the attack in Market Pavement in June.

Joram Bakumanya, 22, of no fixed address, was convicted at Chelmsford Crown Court today following a week-long trial.

BBC Weather

Most of the cloud will disperse this afternoon, leaving widespread sunshine. 

It will feel mild in the southerly winds, though rather breezy in Clacton and along the coast. 

Maximum temperature: 12C (54F).

Get your local forecast from BBC Weather.

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

Here are the headlines from Essex Live at lunchtime: 

• An Asda store in Witham has been closed after armed men stole a six-figure sum of money from a security van this morning, police say
• Southend United striker Nile Ranger has been charged with conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering
• Police are continuing to search for a man who was seen with a gun following a robbery in Wivenhoe last night

In a separate incident, Essex Police says it is still searching for a man who was seen with a gun in Wivenhoe last night.

Officers attended a property in Stanley Road after reports of a break-in at about 21:35. 

Det Ch Insp Steve Jennings said: "We have a significant amount of resources, including specialist officers and the dog unit, dedicated to looking for this man and we are doing everything we can to locate him.

"No-one was injured in this incident and there is no indication there is any threat to the public, so I would urge the residents of Wivenhoe to go about their normal daily routines."

Policemen currently guard the front of an Asda store in Witham after gunmen stormed a security van outside the store this morning. 

Essex Police has called on anybody who witnessed what it describes as an "extremely frightening" raid outside Asda in Witham to come forward.

Two security guards handed over a six-figure sum of cash during an armed robbery outside an Asda store in Witham this morning, police say.

The Loomis guards were delivering money to the store when they were approached by men wearing balaclavas, at about 08:40.

Essex Police says one of the suspects was said to have been carrying a shotgun, but no shots were fired and there are no reports of any injuries. 

The men fled in a black 4x4, and have yet to be found.

A security firm says one of its vans was targeted by an armed gang outside a supermarket in Witham this morning. 

At least four people were involved in the raid outside Asda in Highfields Road, Loomis says.

It's believed cash was stolen from the vehicle. There are no reports of any injuries. 

Essex Police has yet to comment.

An armed gang, consisting of at least four people, have stormed a security van outside an Asda store in Witham this morning, security company Loomis says.

More follows. 

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

We have contacted Southend United after their striker, Nile Ranger, was charged over an alleged scam involving a vulnerable person's bank details being taken so their savings could be accessed.

Image source, Getty Images

The 25-year-old, who used to play for Newcastle and Swindon, recently signed a new three-and-a-half year contract with the League One club.

We'll let you know any further updates we get.

A homeless man in Southend says he has been sprayed with water by shop workers who do not want him sleeping in their doorways. 

Jeff Curtis has been living on the streets since his marriage broke up 20 years ago. 

The 51-year-old says he regularly has water thrown on him, and that people can be "vicious".  

Southend striker Nile Ranger will appear in court today charged with fraud and money laundering offences. 

Image source, Southend United

It's after detectives from Falcon, the Met Police's response to fraud and linked crime, charged the 25-year-old on Monday. 

The offences are alleged to have been committed in February 2015, and relate to the fraudulent obtaining of bank details by telephone from a vulnerable person in order to gain access to the victim's savings.

He is due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court later.

Southend United striker Nile Ranger has been charged with conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

More follows.

Richard Smith
BBC Essex

I've been speaking to residents in Stanley Road, Wivenhoe, about reports of an armed burglary here last night. 

Richard Smith
BBC Essex

I'm in Stanley Road, Wivenhoe, as police continue to search for a man who is believed to have been holding a gun during a burglary last night.

A man who may be armed continues to be on the run this morning after a burglary in Wivenhoe last night, police say. 

It happened in Stanley Road at about 21:30. 

When officers arrived they saw a man who appeared to have a firearm, but he got away and has yet to be found. 

If you're wondering whether or not to attend an appointment at Southend Hospital after yesterday's fuel leak, the advice we have from the hospital is that it's business as usual.

Appointments were cancelled yesterday afternoon to enable staff to manage the situation, however hospital bosses advise patients to attend scheduled appointments today unless they've heard otherwise. 

An investigation is under way this morning to find out what caused a major fuel leak on a maternity unit in Southend Hospital yesterday.

The whole hospital was closed for most of yesterday afternoon and some wards evacuated in the Cardigan Wing while emergency services worked to contain the leak. 

It's understood the diesel is used as part of the heating system.

Neil Rothnie, medical director at Southend University Hospital, said: "There will be a formal investigation to find out why it happened and we can only say once we get the results back what the cause was."