Brandon Penny

Wayne Powell, 56, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple drug offences and possessing criminal property. Police searched his Chelmsford flat after council CCTV operators reported suspicious activity and found £50,000 in cash, designer goods, drug-related equipment and substantial quantities of Class A, B and C drugs, including cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, LSD and MDMA. Police said messages on Powell’s phone indicated links to a wider drugs operation and described the investigation as having closed down a significant local supply network.

Jeremy Clarkson defended Rod Stewart after aerial photographs of Stewart’s green Essex lawns prompted questions during a Thames Water hosepipe ban. Clarkson suggested Stewart may use a borehole, as Clarkson does at The Farmer’s Dog pub in the Cotswolds, allowing access to groundwater outside ordinary hosepipe restrictions. The ban remains in place because of prolonged dry weather and high temperatures.

Greggs is unlikely to close its store at 68 High Street in Halstead after the building was put on the market by Fenn Wright. A Greggs spokesperson said the area manager had not been informed of any change and that the sale was therefore unlikely to affect the store, which opened in early 2023.

Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a two-vehicle collision at Galleys Corner on the A120. A black Volkswagen Polo with front-end damage and no front registration plate left the scene before officers arrived and was last seen travelling towards Dunmow. No serious injuries were reported, and enquiries remain ongoing.

Laurence Fox demanded a recount after receiving 347 votes in the Clacton by-election, claiming on social media that he had been robbed. The Reclaim Party leader was one of 34 candidates and finished fifth, behind Nigel Farage and other frontrunners including Count Binface. The report also outlines Fox's acting career, political background, dismissal from GB News after an on-air rant, and potential 2027 trial over alleged social-media activity.

Firefighters continued monitoring Middlewick Ranges in Colchester after a major blaze deployed around 50 firefighters and 14 appliances. Although the site was surrounded by late morning, crews revisited it to identify hotspots, while residents were urged to distinguish dust from genuine smoke before calling emergency services. Road closures were introduced, and ward councillor Dave Harris called for stronger preventative action, warning that dry weather creates recurring tinder risks for nearby homes and land users.

The fatal crash of a Beech B200 Super King Air medical transport aircraft at Southend Airport on July 13, 2025, remains under investigation. The aircraft veered left shortly after take-off, reached approximately 70–80 feet, then struck the ground and caught fire, killing pilots Danny Franken and Floris Rhee, doctor Matthias Eyl, and nurse Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is examining technical, operational, human and organisational factors, while analysing CCTV, witness video and other evidence. The final report has not yet been issued, and an Essex Coroner’s Court inquest remains on hold.

A fire in a derelict building on Harwich High Street prompted the evacuation of nearby flats as around 25 firefighters responded on Sunday evening. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the precautionary evacuations and said further details would be released later.

A fire near Stratford caused major disruption to rail services linking Essex and London, affecting Greater Anglia, the Elizabeth line and London Overground. Network Rail confirmed the fire was extinguished and repairs were underway, but delays and cancellations were expected until early Monday. Passengers were advised not to travel, seek alternative routes via Stansted Airport or Cambridge, and use ticket acceptance arrangements with other operators. With hot weather continuing, travellers were urged to stay hydrated and keep documentation for compensation claims.

Three Essex men pleaded guilty at Kingston Crown Court to a smash‑and‑grab robbery at a Richmond jewellery store that resulted in £225,000 in stolen goods. The Metropolitan Police used CCTV analysis, forensics and vehicle recovery to identify and arrest the suspects in March and April. All three remain in custody and await sentencing, while police emphasised ongoing efforts to tackle similar crimes and noted a recent drop in neighbourhood offences across London.

Rail services at Stansted Airport are disrupted after an issue with several trains blocked a platform, affecting routes to London Liverpool Street and Norwich. Greater Anglia reports delays and short-notice changes while inspections continue, with some services diverted to start or end at Bishops Stortford. Passengers with advance tickets may travel on alternative services, and those delayed at least 15 minutes may claim compensation under the Delay Repay scheme.

Tendring Council stated it has not received the writ for the Clacton by-election after Nigel Farage resigned as MP and offered to cover election costs, a responsibility normally funded by central government. Major political parties declined to field candidates, accusing Farage of attempting to divert attention from investigations into a £5 million gift from Christopher Harborne and support from convicted fraudster George Cottrell. The standards commissioner’s inquiry is paused during Farage’s absence from Parliament but would resume if he is re-elected, potentially leading to a recall petition if rule breaches are confirmed. Count Binface is the only confirmed challenger so far.

Stansted Airport will temporarily host RAF military aircraft while resurfacing and improvement work is carried out at RAF Brize Norton, the UK’s main air mobility base. The Ministry of Defence confirmed aircraft will relocate to Stansted, Prestwick and East Midlands airports from July until late November. The upgrades are part of a wider modernisation programme to strengthen operational resilience, including training for dispersed operations under initiatives such as Agile Warrior.

Police are seeking witnesses to a collision involving a Ford Transit van and a dark-coloured car on the M11 southbound slip road at junction 7 near Harlow. The incident occurred around 5.40pm on June 23. Authorities urged anyone with information or footage to contact Essex Police or provide details anonymously via Crimestoppers.