Matthew Benton-Smith

An Essex rape crisis charity has revealed Russell Brand donated £3,000 to the organisation in 2010. SERICC, which is based in Grays, received the money for its 25th anniversary celebrations. The donation came just a year after the rape for which Brand was subsequently convicted.

He fled while on bail and almost five months later, the hunt continues ⬇️

🚨 BREAKING: An independent review has been announced into the murder of Chafford Hundred teenager Henry Nowak. Former Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk KC will lead the review. Full story below.

A deeply disturbing case from Colchester. A child was found critically underweight after being “deliberately starved” and kept prisoner in a locked room. Now, two parents have been jailed for a combined 23 years following a 'landmark' case.

📷 A teenager has been jailed after being caught carrying a six-inch dagger at one of the busiest stations on the Essex-London rail route. British Transport Police officers stopped the 18-year-old during a plain-clothes operation and uncovered the concealed weapon.

Rhys Woods says emergency services are confident high-risk areas have been searched and cleared, leading him to believe missing 3-year-old Noah may have travelled further than first thought. He is urging volunteers to widen their searches as efforts continue to find him.

A 16-year-old has been arrested in connection with a shooting that has left 2 teenagers with potentially serious facial injuries in Braintree. A third victim who suffered injuries, a man, is believed to have been an innocent bystander.

A 36-year-old woman from Harlow has been charged with the murder of her eight-month-old daughter. Francisca Nti, of Milwards, was arrested on July 27 after the child’s death on July 13 was deemed suspicious. She is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today (July 29).

Andy Burnham said he was "so sad to hear the news."

Awful news to report on from Mersea this morning. Thoughts with their loved ones at this difficult time.