A GRAYS resident, Chinedu Emmanuel Ebili, 35, of St Leonards Close, appeared before Basildon magistrates who heard he is charged with using the names of dead children and other persons as being drivers of vehicles in which speeding offences were committed.

He will face trial at Basildon Crown Court on 13 February.

Other cases recently heard by magistrates included:

A 23-year-old Grays man has been remanded in prison pending trial after being charged with a serious sexual offence against a boy of 14.

The offence is alleged to have happened on 4 January and Luke Davis of Boscombe Avenue was kept in custody after his application for bail failed because the court ruled that his previous character, the strength of the case and the possibility of interference with witnesses meant there was a risk if he was released.

David will appear at Basildon Crown Court on Tuesday, 11 February.

JOE Carver, 26, of Watts Crescent, Purfleet, admitted two charges of harassment against Heavenly Pryor. He was released on bail pending sentencing at Southend Magistrates' Court next month on condition he does not contact his victim other than through official channels for the purpose of child arrangements.

MANISH Rai, 26 of Bedford Road, Grays, admitted damaging a car belonging to Sue Keaton, to who he was ordered to pay £928.50 in compensation. He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay costs and a surcharge totalling £137.

Rai also admitted breaching a previous bail condition and was fined a further £50.

A 23-YEAR-OLD Tilbury woman was spared significant punitive action and instead given the opportunity to undertake a drug rehabilitation course to help with her addiction after admitting a number of offences.

Nicola Louise Smith of Spencer Walk admitted a number of incidents of theft when she appeared at Southend Magistrates' Court, including stealing laundry detergent, other cleaning items and toothpaste, coffee and a range of chocolates from the town's Co-op store.

She also admitted charges of harassment and threatening behaviour.

Magistrates decided punitive action would not be in her best long term interest and offered the six month rehabilitation course. Smith was ordered to pay compensation totalling £479.

LEE-RAY Taylor, 23, of St Augustine Road, Grays, admitted causing criminal damage but denied a charge of assault against a woman when he appeared at Southend Magistrates' Court.

He will appear for trial and sentencing at Basildon Magistrates' Court on 3 April.

TAYLOR Palmer, 23, of Swale Close, Aveley, admitted failing to provide a specimen of breath after being challenged by police.

She was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work and was banned from driving for two years. Palmer also had to pay costs and a surcharge totalling £195.

HAYLEY Parson, 35, of Defoe Parade, Chadwell St Mary, admitted charges of stealing washing tablets from the Tescoe Express in Tilbury and also carrying an offensive weapon - a screwdriver.

She was released on conditional bail pending sentencing at Basildon on 14 February and must not enter the Tescco store on Calcutta Road.

MAGISTRATES decided the risk of another offence and the previous character of Dharmbir Bhullar, 41, of Richmond Road, Grays, was enough that he be remanded in prison after pleading not guilty to assaulting Danbir Bhullar.

He will appear for trial at Basildon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 12 December when the alleged victim will give evidence by video link and he will not be allowed to question her.

Bhullar also pleaded not guilty to using threatening behaviour against Kulwinder Kaur, who he will also not be able to cross examine.

RICKY Morris, 21, of Runnymede Road, Stanford-le-Hope admitted possession of cannabis and was fined £80 and ordered to pay costs and a surcharge totalling £112.

RACHAEL Louise Drake, 35, of Melba Gardens, Tilbury, was found guilty of stealing fragrances valued at £423 from Debenhams at Lakeside and will be sentenced at Basildon Magistrates' Court next month.

HOWARD David Green, 44, of Fairway, Grays, pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police officer in Grays on 22 December last year.

He will be tried at Basildon Crown Court on 13 February.

JAMES Thomas McAllister, 35, of Stifford Clays Road, Grays, admitted a charge of theft of meat and alcohol from Tesco's store in Cramavill Street and harassing and threatening Richard Hills.

He was ordered to pay compensation totalling £142.10 which will be deducted from his benefits and there was no other punishment.

DAYNE Cooper, 26, of Fenton road, Chafford Hundred, was remanded in custody until his trial at Basildon Crown Court on 13 February, He is accused of a number of offences including causing grievous bodily harm, driving dangerously and assaulting a police officer.

PAUL Alexander Spires, 46, of Eman Close, South Ockendon, pleaded not guilty at Basildon Magistrates' Court to a charge of causing Charlotte Wilton harassment, alarm or distress. He was remanded on unconditional bail to appear for trial by magistrates on 3 April.

DAVID William Kerr, 54, of Centurian Way, Purfleet, pleaded not guilty to charges including allegedly assaulting Keith Vickers and also failing to give a sample when suspected of a road traffic offence.

He did admit driving without insurance and being in possession of cannabis. He will next appear in court on 13 March.

A STANFORD-le-Hope youth of 15, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, admitted stealing a car and other low value stealing. He also admitted obstructing a police officer in the course of her duties. He was referred to Thurrock Youth Offender panel for nine months where he is being urged to address his offending behaviour, peer pressure, thinking skills and victim empathy.