Matthew Benton-Smith

An investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman found that mental-health care provided to remand prisoner Steven Davidson at HMP/YOI Chelmsford was not equivalent to support available in the community. Healthcare staff failed to use recommended assessment tools or conduct further assessment despite his history of depression and self-harm, while the prison lacked a formal welfare-check process after video court hearings. Davidson died by hanging in his cell on 12 March 2024, although the ombudsman found no clear indications that his suicide risk had sharply increased or that staff could reasonably have foreseen his actions. The prison has since introduced standardized post-hearing welfare checks, while wider concerns remain over repeated self-harm and suicide deaths at Chelmsford.

Former Essex Police officer PC Adam Gardiner was found guilty of gross misconduct after failing to stop for officers while driving an unmarked police vehicle, crashing into road barriers and being arrested on suspicion of dangerous and drink driving. An accelerated hearing chaired by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington found multiple professional-behaviour breaches after Gardiner had resigned. Gardiner pleaded guilty to the related driving offences and received a suspended 10-month prison sentence, a driving ban of two and a half years, and a £1,630 victim surcharge.

Three people got into difficulty in the water near Clacton Pier, prompting a major emergency response that included Essex Police, ambulance crews and the air ambulance. All three were brought ashore, treated medically and taken to hospital for further care. Police thanked the public for following instructions during the response.