A SECOND man has been charged following an aggravated burglary in South Ockendon last month. 

And there has been a further arrest as police enquiries continue into an unconnected incident in Grays where a fifth person is now facing charges over another aggravated burglary.

Shortly after 6.35am on Wednesday, 21 June a burglary took place at a property in Aire Drive.

Two people forced their way into the address and assaulted a resident.

Last month, Aaron Keenan, 26, of Stifford Clays Road, North Stifford, was charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, aggravated burglary, and threatening a person with a blade or sharply pointed article in a public place.

He's been remanded in custody and is next due to appear at Basildon Crown Court on 21 July.

Continued enquiries by investigating officers led to a second man being arrested on Wednesday, 12 July. 

Jake Pittaway, 26, of no fixed address, has since been charged with aggravated burglary and two counts of possession of a bladed article. 

He was due to appear at Southend Magistrates' Court today (Friday, 14 July).

Meanwhile a fifth person has been arrested in connection with an aggravated burglary in Grays.

It was reported a group of men had broken into an address in Ingleby Road shortly before 2am on Friday 21 April.

People inside were threatened with a weapon and assaulted and one person had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

In connection with our ongoing investigation, officers with our Operational Support Group executed a warrant at an address in Wood Green, London, on Wednesday 12 July.

A 25-year-old man, from London, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary, possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition without a certificate, GBH with intent and possession of a knife in a public place.

He remains in custody for questioning.

Three other men already face charges of aggravated burglary, possession of a knife or bladed article, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate.

Solwazi Asante, 18, of Eastbury Road, Watford, Mohammed Mansary, 25, of Alameda Place, London E3 and Hassan Mansary, 25, of Goldsmith Road, London SE15, are next due to appear at Southend Crown Court on Friday 11 August.

A 22 year-old woman from London arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary is on bail until Thursday 20 July.