IN the latest twist on what has become a much commented-on series of thefts, Essex Police have now revealed details of a jail sentence and a significant compensation order following robberies and assaults in Grays.

The public side of what has become a protracted scenario began in June when, over two nights, a group of at least three people stole a patio table and chairs from the RAF Association Club on Southend Road in Grays.

The theft, which was captured on CCTV, was reported to Essex Police, who – within 36 hours of receiving information, declared they did not have enough evidence or information to amount an investigation. That is despite being told CCTV evicence was available.

Less than two days after an offence that ultimately led to the conviction of two men, police said they would not be taking any further action.

However, by the time the letter saying that had reached the club, Essex Police had already announced that their 'sharp-eyed' officers had seen video of the theft published on Thurrock Nub News and arrests had been made.

The first story about the incident appeared on Thurrock Nub News on Saturday, 26 June. The report, which included two video clips of the theft, can be viewed via this link.

Within days, despite the letter posted to the club dated saying nothing would be happening, Essex Police then issued a news release saying: "We're pleased to confirm we've arrested two suspects, and charged one.

"In the early hours of Wednesday, 25 June, a man and woman were caught on CCTV seemingly helping themselves to chairs from the property. Not to be outdone, the same man returned the next night (Thursday 26 June) with a new friend and walked off with a large table.

"Thanks to some sharp-eyed CCTV work and officers with local knowledge and experience, we quickly identified those involved.

"On Saturday, 28 June, a 46-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman, from Grays were arrested on suspicion of theft.

"The man has since been charged with the chair and table thefts, 13 additional (unrelated) shoplifting offences, and two assaults. He's now been remanded."

The man referred to there is Lee Britchford. Though the release did add: "We're still conducting enquiries into the other man", no clue was offered, or further information ever released via Essex police about 'the new friend'."

He is now known to be 37-year-old Cameron Day, 37, who at the time is believed to have lived at the same address as Britchford.

How arrests were reported.

On the back of the police release, Thurrock Nub News published this story on 2 July: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/ratten-thieves-caught-in-the-act-are-brought-to-the-table-for-justice-264588.

Several days later Essex Police issued a further release, detailing a court appearance by 46-year-old Lee Britchford.

That led to the publication of a story on Nub News on 9 July which contained information, supplied by the police, relating to Britchford's criminal activities  and his admission at Southend Magistrates Court on 30 June of guilt to 15 offences including shop thefts, assaults and the theft of the chairs and table from the RAFA Club.

That report can be read via this link.

Police said that Britchford was due to appear at the same court on 1 August for sentencing.

Thurrock Nub News editor Neil Speight attended that hearing and in an emotional personal statement on Nub News, detailed his shock and disappointment at the lack of information available to a court which included a 'disinterested' magistrate, a blasé court clerk and a Crown Prosecution solicitor who appeared to have little grasp of the series of crimes, the impact of them and the need for appropriate justice to be seen to be done.

Britchford received a community order for 50 hours of community service to be completed by 31 July 2026. 

Magistrates banned him from entering Tesco in Crammavill Street, Morrisons and Aldi and Farmfoods in Grays and the RAFA Club on Southend Road, Grays.

A picture of Lee Britchford, supplied by Essex Police. They declined to issue a pucture of jailed Cameron Day.

Additionally Britchford, who has moved to a house of multiple occupancy on Clarence Road, Grays, is to attend non-residential drug rehabilitation. He is currently receiving support from the Forward Trust.

He was also ordered to pay £192.05 compensation to Tesco in Cramavill Street and £52.95 to Farmfoods in Grays. The Crown Prosecution Service made no mention a compensation order to the RAFA Club.

Magistrates declined to make a compensation order to shop staff who had been assaulted.

When news of the sentencing outcome was received at the RAF Club, its officials were concerned as they has been told compensation would be paid.

Nub News asked police for an explanation and yesterday (Friday, 8 August) were informed that a completely separate action had taken place against another man, with almost identical charges to those faced by Britchford and that not only had he been jailed, on release he had to pay significant compensation.

The disparity in the sentences issued to Day are highlighted in this statement from police.

It says: "Cameron Day, 37, of Southend Road, Grays, nine counts of theft from a shop and two counts of assault by beating at Southend Magistrates' Court on 9 July.

"The charges related to a series of thefts from shops between 17 May and 25 June this year.

"Most of the incidents involved the theft of food and drink products from supermarkets worth, in total, hundreds of pounds.

"One incident also related to the theft of a large table from the RAF Association Club in Southend Road, Grays, on 26 June.

"He was sentenced to a total of 16 weeks in prison and ordered to pay compensation totalling more than £1,600."

Mr Speight says: "The RAF Club are grateful for this clarification and that they will be compensated.

"But I am staggered and baffled by what I can only describe as incompetence and lack of awareness in the publicity issued by police around this series of thefts and the conviction of two men.

"I have no idea whether it's 'silo working' or indifference by officers, a lack of awareness by their senior offices and/or further incompetence by the Crown Prosecution Service that these trials and sentencings, which are clearly linked and relevant to each other, were dealth with entireley separately.

"What I can say, with surety, is that in 41 years as journalist I have never come across anything as convoluted or apparently cocked up as this.

"I apologise to Nub News readers because, until today, I have been able to tell them the full story. Who knows, there may be more to it all yet – don't forget we have the mystery woman!

"In fairness, this has to be put in context, I am sure it's the exception rather than the rule, but we, as members of the public, have to put our faith in what we hope and believe is an effective and accountable justice system. And it's probably fair to say that I should have done a better job and asked more telling questions rather than relying on what I was told.

"And it cannot be denied that justice has been served on two men, though I find the huge gulf in sentencing quite strange.

"It's been a very wird, almost surreal affair all round and I can't say that my faith - and I know that of many members of the RAF and also shop staff in the area I have spoken to – in Essex Police and the Crown Prosecution Service is as strong as it was before."