A WOMAN living in Grays, Martha Ernest, 41, of Davall House, Argent Street, received a 17 week prison term after admitting a number of thefts - though she was spared going behind bars as Basildon magistrates suspended the sentence for 12 months.

Ernest admitted three charges of stealing goods from Tesco in West Thurrock, while she was serving a previous community order imposed for other offences of theft.

In the latest offences Ernest, who is of dual Tanzanian and British nationality and also uses the alias Martha Ayanfalu, stole health and beauty products valued at £470, confectionary and health items worth £60 and perfume and personal care items costing £238.99 on three occasions in July and August this year.

Her previous thefts also took place in the Lakeside area and were committed at a time when she was subject to a criminal behaviour order banning her from the area after earlier offences.

In her latest appearance before Basildon magistrates Ernest also admitted stealing goods worth £133.87 from Savers in Grays, for which she received a four week suspended jail term, to run concurrent with her other conviction.

Drug driver changed plea but still gets three year ban

A MAN who changed his plea and admitted drug driving has been given a community order and will have to carry out 220 hours of unpaid work.

In addition, Ben Ryan, 29, of Scott Road, Grays, was banned from driving for three years.

Ryan had initially denied two charges driving in Rayleigh on 3 November last year and Orsett in December last year while having above the permitted limit of a controlled drug (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) in his blood but when the case came before Basildon magistrates this month he admitted the offence.

In addition to the community service order and ban, Ryan was ordered to pay a total of £1,715 in costs and a victim surcharge, which will be deducted from his benefits.

Man who it is alleged assaulted police officers is sent to Crown Court for trial

A GRAYS man, Shamus Boyle, 30, of Albemarle Close, Grays, will face trial at Basildon Crown Court next month after being committed there on charges of assaulting a police officer by Basildon magistrates.

It is alleged that the offence, when the prosecution says Boyle 'maliciously caused grievous bodily harm to PC Dan Egan' took place in Grays on 14 October.

Boyle faces other charges related to the incident, including assaulting a second police officer.

He has been remanded in custody until his trial.

Shops ban for Purfleet resident

AN order has been passed banning a man from visiting his local shops, where he is alleged to have committed a number of offences including theft of chicken pieces, using abusive or threatening behaviour and possession drugs.

David William Kerr, 56, of Marine Court, Centurion way, Purfleet, has been ordered not to go with 100 metres of the Garrison Parade for any reason.

He is due to return to Basildon Magistrates' Court in January next year for trial.

Young teens carried weapons

TWO Thurrock children, one from Grays aged 15, and another aged 14 from East Tilbury, have appeared before magistrates after being found carrying weapons in Grays.

The two were arrested in Saxton Close, Grays, where one was carrying a kitchen knife and the other a baseball bat.

The 15-year-old has been detained until he appears for trial next month because of the nature and seriousness of the offence while the 14-year-old has been put under curfew and must reside at his East Tilbury home between 7pm and 7am.

Make-up thefts land woman 100 hours of community service

A GRAYS woman was found guilty after denying three charges of stealing make-up from a Basildon store.

Joanne Pugh, 32, of Davall House, Argent Street, denied the three separate charges relating to thefts from Superdrug but was found guilty on them all.

She was ordered to carry out unpaid community work for 100 hours and attend rehabilitation activity. And she was ordered to pay compensation totalling £638 which will be deducted from her benefits.

Drunk woman assaulted police officers

A WOMAN living in Grays admitted two charges of assaulting police officers after being arrested for being drunk in the town's High Street.

Amadeusz Semczuk, 30, of Lewes Close Grays committed the offences on 21 September.

At Basildon Magistrates Court she was ordered to attend rehabilitiation activity for up to 40 days and also to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work.

She was also ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge totalling £240.

Drugs possession prompts fine

SOUTH Ockendon man Jamie Goyette, 47, of Aire Drive, admitted two charges of possession drugs (diamorphine and cocaine) when he appeared before Basildon magistrates.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay costs and a surcharge totalling £139.

Case proved and drug driver is banned

A 31-YEAR-old Stanford-le-Hope man was banned from driving for three years after being found guilty of driving under the influence of cocaine.

Jordan John Matthew Cook of King Edward Road had pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Southend Magistrates' Court but the offence was found proved.

As well as the ban he was ordered to pay costs and a surcharge totalling £682.