News in Maldon

A COURT heard today (Friday, 16 April) how a Maldon High Street business was used as a 'front' for money laundering in connection with a three-year cocaine supply conspiracy largely based in and around the town.

It was the second day of sentencing proceedings at Chelmsford Crown Court, where Judge Simon Mayo QC has been hearing a summary of the offences of each of five co-defendants and mitigation from defence lawyers in the case of each one.

As the country prepares to pay its final respects to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at his funeral tomorrow (Saturday, 17 April) Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) has been reflecting on the achievements so many young people across the county have celebrated as a direct result of his youth awards.

ECFRS has delivered the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) for more than 10 years and during this time the scheme has gone from strength to strength, and most importantly, seen so many of the county's young people flourish.

Danbury's Covid-19 vaccine centre volunteers have been going the extra mile, by raising money for Red Nose Day and Marie Curie while volunteering at Danbury Medical Centre vaccination clinic.

The volunteers have been getting dressed up as penguins and bunnies for Red Nose Day to raise money, while lifting the sprits of people getting their vaccine, and having a lot of fun in the process.

Essex County Council (ECC) has announced that close to 90 per cent of parents and carers have received their first choice place in primary school place allocations today (Friday, 16 April).

The allocations for the academic year starting in September, 2021, are sure to be closely scrutinised by Dengie Peninsula communities following issues with secondary school placements for local children in March, when some living in the area were initially offered places as far away as Brightlingsea. That issue was later resolved through additional places being made available at Ormiston Rivers Academy in Burnham-on-Crouch and at William de Ferrers School in South Woodham Ferrers.

Parish churches, private houses and picturesque ruins – these are the fates of most of the religious houses that once dotted our landscape.

The Photographers Resource website lists over forty such abbeys and priories in Essex, and there are more to add.

A COURT heard today (Thursday, 15 April) that a Maldon man who dealt Class A drugs for three years was kidnapped and tortured when he wanted to move away from the illicit trade.

The lurid details of the alleged torture were revealed at Chelmsford Crown Court as part of the mitigation in the sentencing hearing of Abdul Hamid, 34, now of HMP Chelmsford and formerly of Sassoon Way, Maldon.

THE owner of the former Chameleon Jewellery shop on Maldon High Street has announced that he is standing as an Independent candidate for the Heybridge East seat on Maldon District Council in the 6 May elections.

Alan Outlaw, who was also director of Heron Print and has lived in the district for 17 years, said: "I have served previously as a councillor and I held committee positions in both finance and planning. I am ready for the challenge to serve again.

A new scheme to make it easier for Essex residents to claim £500 to support them through self-isolation begins today (Thursday, 14 April).

Essex County Council (ECC) announced the new scheme yesterday afternoon.

Maldon District Council leader Wendy Stamp has announced she will be standing for the Southminster division Essex County Council seat in the local elections on Thursday, 6 May.

Wendy is also a Burnham-on-Crouch town councillor.

HEYBRIDGE Swifts have designated Saturday as 'Meet and Greet the New Gaffa Day', writes JON LONGMAN.

It will be a reunion for so many Swifts fans and Hammers followers as West Ham legend Julian Dicks is returning to the Scraley Road ground for his second spell in charge.