JUST hours after a serial criminal from Thurrock, who a judge described as 'reprehensible' and 'disgusting', was sentenced to jail for four years for a string of crimes which included trashing the home of a respected Tilbury headteacher, he walked free from jail.

And less than a day later, Thurrock Council handed him back the keys to his flat in Thurrock, which had become a local epicentre for drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.

Everything that critics of the British justice system and incompetence of local government condemn is encapsulated in the story of Zach McCarthy – a drug addict and thief who brought violence and disorder to his village neighbourhood.

The story of 31-year-old McCarthy from Tilbury goes back decades. As a minor he had a list of convictions and continued his life of crime on becoming an adult – when he was publicly accountable in court.

From the age of 18 to the beginning of 2024 he had 29 criminal convictions – yet time and time again he was shown leniency by the courts.

His appearances in court were usually backed by pleas for clemency from his mother, 55-year-old Tina McCarthy. She is the epitome of a loving mother who struggles to see wrong in her child and time and time again she has begged 'for one more chance'.

Among his brushes with the law was an incident in 2019 when he was charged with assaulting a police officer who was chasing him after attempting to serve a warrant

McCarthy was remanded to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court but ultimately the case was dropped.

The latest chapter in the troubled history of McCarthy began with one of his most heinous crimes – one that shocked and angered Judge Richard Conley, who found his hands tied in legal regulations when he tried to put McCarthy behind bars to pay a proper price for his latest litany of crimes.

At Basildon Crown Court this past week McCarthy appeared for sentencing on 14 crimes – all of which he pleaded guilty to.

Crown prosecutor Amelia Norman detailed the charges, beginning with a burglary at a home on Brennan Road, Tilbury, on 18 October 2023.

He entered the property, the home of respected local headteacher Ruth Saul, known to generations of children who have passed through the town's St Joseph's Catholic school.

Ms Norman told the court: "McCarthy entered by smashing a kitchen window and then caused disturbance throughout the property."

Before he left with goods worth more than £1,000, including an iPhone and iPad, McCarthy trashed each of the rooms in the house.

His actions have completely changed the life of Ms Saul, who now fears being at home and being a victim again. Ms Norman said: "In a powerful victim statement she said the burglary has made her lose her confidence and now she doesn't like being at home alone. Sometimes the fear is so much she goes to stay with friends and would rather sleep on their sofa."

McCarthy was arrested within days of the crime because he had left his DNA at the scene. He was arrested and charged but pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court on 16 January 2024. He said his mother would back his claim that he was at her nearby home, when the crime happened.

Crucially that led to him being released on conditional bail – one part of which meant he had to serve a curfew and could not go out at nights.

It was a condition that was to prove massively beneficial for the callous thief.

Days before his court appearance McCarthy had acquired bank cards which he used fraudulently to obtain goods from local stores. He was charged with the offences after being identified by CCTV cameras within the shops. Again he pleaded not guilty and at a hearing in February 2024 and was released on the same bail conditions.

McCarthy later moved into a Thurrock Council flat at Phillips House in Orsett, where he was initially described as a good and helpful neighbour by fellow tenants.

Phillips House is a ten flat unit, spread across two buildings on Ridgwell Avenue which was initially designated for use by older people.

However, in recent times Thurrock Council has returned the property to its general housing stock, bringing younger or more difficult tenants to live alongside incumbent older folk and neighbouring residents.

The initial opinion of residents began to change as it became clear McCarthy was using the property as a base from which to deal in drugs. By being at home in the evenings, when many transactions happened, he was not breaching the conditions of his curfew.

Several incidents occurred to concern neighbours, with reports of rows and disturbance within his ground floor flat.

That culminated in a dramatic incident on Saturday, 3 May 2025 around 9pm,when three men arrived at the location in a van, carrying what appeared to be knives or machetes and they entered McCarthy's flat – where a disturbance occurred. Police were called and began an investigation.

Local residents believe class A,B and C controlled drugs were found in the property as well as a 'zombie knife'.

Police later said the incident was being treated as an aggravated burglary and their investigations involved distributing a letter to residents in the area asking if they had witnessed the incident and had any information.

In the early hours of Saturday, 24 May police were back on Ridgewell Avenue when they forced entry into the flat.

A statement about that incident from Essex Police said: "As part of a planned arrest attempt, officers arrived at a property in Ridgwell Avenue, in Orsett shortly after midnight on Saturday 24 May.

"Once at the scene, a man began to make threats to harm himself.

"Officers became increasingly concerned for the man's welfare and safely forced entry to the property.

"A man was then taken to hospital for treatment. He was subsequently discharged and arrested on suspicion of two counts of robbery.

"He was questioned and released on conditional bail while our investigation continues."

Both incidents at the flat above were reported on Thurrock Nub News.

McCarthy's bail conditions remained the same as before and McCarthy was allowed to continue living at the flat, despite serious concerns being raised by ward councillors.

Orsett councillor at the time, David Day, said: "It is not acceptable that good law-abiding residents should have to suffer inconsiderate neighbours and the council should not hesitate to take the appropriate action, which could include evicting anti- social tenants.

"My sympathies go out to all the residents affected by these events. I hope now that Nub News has featured the situation, it will bring attention and pressure on the police and council to swiftly conclude any continuous unacceptable behaviour of this nature at Phillips House."

Mr Day's comments prompted a response from then social housing portfolio holder Mark Hurrell, who said: "We take all reports of anti-social behaviour that affects, or has been committed by, our tenants extremely seriously and take swift action to resolve these issues.

"Following reports officers will visit properties and often, as is the case here, out of hours patrols will take place to monitor the situation.

"Where evidence is found action will be taken against anti-social tenants including writing to them to warn them about their behaviour and remind them of the action that can be taken through the tenancy agreement all council tenants agree to adhere to.

"If these warnings are not acted on the council can, and will, take legal action which could include evicting anti-social tenants. Our tenants have a right to a peaceful home and if that is being disturbed by inconsiderate neighbours we will not hesitate to take action."

Following the second incident, McCarthy's mother, Tina, contacted Nub News defending her son.

She told us: "My son is not a druggie and he has not done some of the things that have been said about him. This started with the attack on his home.

"He has some severe mental health issues and he wasn't a threat to the police when they went to the flat. They smashed the windows to get in because he had a fit and his life was in danger."

Eventually, after more complaints and more disturbances McCarthy was ordered to leave the flat on Tuesday, 16 December, when it was made the subject of a closure order because of McCarthy's persistent anti-social behaviour.

Police were present when the order, which was endorsed via a magistrates' court application, was enacted.

A closure order shuts down the property for a designated time, during which no-one is allowed to enter, including the owner or regular occupants, for up to three months (and can be extended up to six months.

Residents in the area breathed a sigh of relief and said life had returned to normal. McCarthy was believed to have moved in with his mother, on Tennyson Walk in Tilbury.

However, residents' delight soon turned to anger when it was revealed McCarthy had appealed to be allowed back into the home.

And anger turned into disbelief in March when his application was granted – a decision made by Council Assistant Director Mike Dineen who overruled his own housing officers' and police advice presented at a hearing and paved the way for him to return.

McCarthy's freedom to return to the property was short-lived.

On 27 April this year, police announced McCarthy was behind bars.

In a statement Essex police said: "A man is due to appear in court again next month charged with multiple offences following work by our officers.

"Zach McCarthy of Tennyson Walk, Tilbury, initially appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court last Monday (20 April) charged with burglary, robbery, five counts of theft of a pedal cycle, two counts of theft from a motor vehicle, and one count of theft from a shop.

"The charges relate to a number of incidents which took place throughout March in Grays including bikes being stolen from a local school and items worth a four-figure sum taken during a burglary."

Last week's Crown Court hearing detailed those new crimes – the first of which was the burglary on Ms Saul's property, brought to court again almost three years after McCarthy wreaked carnage on her home.

At the initial hearings at magistrates in April, McCarthy had continued to plead not guilty to that home raid – and the charges of fraud. Bizarrely both of which he was 'banged to rights' on, because of CCTV and DNA evidence.

However, sometime during his stay at HMP Chelmsford, he changed his tune and pleaded guilty to all the offences.

Which, when he appeared by video link in court, earned him credit off the prescribed sentences.

At the sentencing hearing Ms Norman detailed some of the offences carried out by McCarty in a crime spree between March and April that led to his arrest.

She told how between 17 March and 14 April he had committed 12 acts of theft including stealing food and other goods from the Co-op and Tesco Express stores in Tilbury. Items he took included easter eggs and chocolate Easter bunnies. On some days he made repeated visits to the same store.

She highlighted a number of thefts of children's cycles from local schools, some of which were captured on CCTV, including a visit to Gateway Academy where he broke into a bike shed and took a cycle worth £200.

Separate visits to Orsett Heath academy saw him steal a succession of children's bikes worth £350, £133.79 and £302.25.

On another day he drove away an unattended Renault Trucks Mastervan belonging to Kelly Communications. Though he later dumped it he took tools to the value of £10,000 and the driver's tablet, worth £200.

When the van was recovered McCarthy was captured on the vehicle's dash camera carrying out the thefts.

He returned to cycle-stealing, taking a bike worth £700. The bike had a tracker fitted and the child's father traced the bike to a property in Tilbury where the parent confronted McCarthy who denied he had the bike. However it was later seen being taken from the back of the property and put into a vehicle on nearby Brenan Road, from where it was recovered.

In mitigation, defence counsel Tammy Sher said McCarthy deserved recognition for pleading guilty to all the offences.

And she said he was a 'very different' person after his time in jail and was ashamed of his crimes.

She said his crime spree was caused by turmoil in his life, and told the court: "A lot was happening to him in life that made him unstable, there were two attempts on his life and that all increased his drug taking. His drug habit at the time was very heavy."

Among the incidents that built up pressure on McCarthy was a drugs-related Tilbury shooting last year which resulted in three men being jailed.

Ms Sher continued: "He is totally changed now, being in custody has changed his life. He has a family that work hard to help him – his mother is in court today.

"When he came into prison he was nine stone, now he is 16 stone. He has fast-forwarded on his reading and writing. When he went into prison he could not read or write. While he has been in prison he has been helping others."

Looking forward, she said: "His family will support him. He will be able to get work with his three brothers and he says he will not let them down.

"He has changed his lifestyle. He is completely free of drugs and hopefully will not be in this position again."

Ms Sher asked Judge Conley to grade his offences at the 'lower end of the scale' and said McCarthy is set to become a father, with the birth of his child due in nine days time (14 October).

Judge Conley then adjourned the hearing to reflect on the statements put before him and to consider the issue of curfew and credit to sentences. He also said he needed to read references about McCarthy, which Nub News understands included positive statements from Thurrock Council.

When the hearing resumed, Judge Conley allowed McCarthy to make a statement to the court.

He said: "I'm deeply sorry and ashamed of the crimes I've done. All I want to do now is help people.

"I come from a good family. I know I done terrible but I was messed up on drugs.

"I know you are angry and all I want to do now is better myself.

"I want to help people so they don't go through what I have done.

"I'm never going to take drugs again.

"I will pay back the public and victims and let them know I'm being a better person for my six months in prison."

Before passing sentence Judge Conley gave a resume of McCarthy's crimes and said: "I am going to sentence you for a large number of offences including the burglary in 2023 of Ruth Saul's home.

"She left her home for the day and her house was broken into. You had entered her home, visiting every room and violating her house.

"Prior to that she felt safe in her home where she had lived for 11 years. Since being burgled she now effectively has to live in a fortress because her peace and security was invaded by you."

Judge Conley damned McCarthy for his 'selfishness and greed', adding: "You were linked to the crime by DNA but you did not put yourself up for it until two years later.

"You were more than happy to rack up time on a qualifying curfew, which I now have to take account of. You then went on a crime spree on bail."

Referring to the offences earlier this year Judge Conley pointed out the impact of the theft of tools from a working man. He said: "This was a man doing his job and you caused him immense inconvenience."

The judge then blasted McCarthy for his cycle stealing – and did not spare the Crown Prosecution service either, saying they (or the police) underplayed the severity of the crimes. He said they were clear examples of trespassing and breaking into a locked building, adding: "These ought to have been charged as burglaries which carry a heavier penalty. It's a fact that can be argued. You are lucky you have been charged with theft not burglary."

Judge Conley said the principle of stealing from children merited more punitive action than just the value of the stolen cycles. "In my view stealing cycles from schoolchildren is reprehensible.

"Stealing the personal possessions of children is inexcusable

"These may have been their Christmas or birthday presents. Imagine going to school and coming out to find them gone – it's outrageous, it's disgusting" he said.

Judge Conley told McCarthy that he had done what he did despite having a family that cared for him and supported him, adding: "You have a heartfelt letter from your mum – for which she has my deepest sympathy.

"And I take onboard your life has not always been easy.

"But you are not someone that commits offences just at troubled times, you have offended almost all your life. This isn't somebody who has just been through a bad patch – you have been offending for many years."

Having weighed and balanced all the circumstances, Judge Conley then set about sentencing, but clearly with something of a heavy and frustrated heart as he prefaced it by saying: "I am mindful you have been in custody for six months and, with all the accrued time you have in the bank from curfew, whatever sentence I am able to pass seems to mean you will be out in a short time."

Figures worked out in the courtroom showed that McCarthy spent 823 days serving a qualifying curfew – which meant he was entitled to 412 days of whatever sentence was delivered – and he would be credited with the time already served while awaiting trial (massively lengthened by his original not guilty plea, which he redacted at the last moment) – plus a further 'credit' for those not guilty pleas.

Judge Conley dealt with the burglary at Ruth Saul's home first, saying: "My hands are tied – I won't go further than that. I would have sentenced you to three years but that has to be reduced by four months because of your guilty plea. Therefore, you are sentenced to 32 months in prison.

"For the theft of pedal cycles I can sentence you to six months, but that is reduced to four months because of your guilty plea so that is four months

"For other serious indictments I would have sentenced you to 16 months, but again, that is reduced, to 12 months.

"Those sentences will run consecutively so in total I sentence you to prison for 48 months.

"You have no resources so I cannot direct you to pay compensation.

In relation to the shop thefts, which are regarded as of lesser importance, Judge Conley sentenced McCarthy to one month in jail on each charge but they run concurrently, so are of little consequence. Similarly, the two fraud charges were worthy of four months each, but they too run concurrently.

Asked by McCarthy what the sentencing meant Judge Conley said he could not be sure as 'figures and dates' still have to be worked out. He concluded: "It will be sometime soon – most probably before Christmas."

'Sometime soon' turned out to be a matter of hours. McCarthy was released from prison that evening.

And, as if that was an issue likely to stick in the public's craw amid all the current controversy over early releases, another surprise and a very unpleasant one to McCarthy's neighbours, came the following morning.

At 9.30am McCarty turned up at Phillips House where he met two council officers, one of whom handed him the keys before they all went in the property. By Thursday evening the boards had been removed from the property windows and on Friday McCarthy was witnessed moving personal possessions inside with the help of his family.

Neighbours on Ridgewell Avenue are shocked by what has happened and have condemned Thurrock Council and its leadership for not preventing McCarthy from being able to return to the property. His immediate neighbours, who have been traumatised by previous incidents, include a couple aged 77 and 80 and two men, both in their mid seventies.

However, it appears the council's awareness of the situation, both in terms of public concern and what happened at court, can at best be described as disjointed.

At 4.20pm on Tuesday, three hours after Judge Conley delivered his verdict, Nub News editor Neil Speight sent this message to Thurrock Council:-

"It has been confirmed today that errant council tenant Zach McCarthy will be released from prison very shortly. The mathematics of his time served credit are being worked out but he could be out in days, and certainly will be released well in advance of Christmas.

"As I am sure you will be aware, and if not Mr Dineen will be in a position to give an update, there has been a huge amount of local disquiet about his potential return to his flat in Orsett.

"I've already had communication raising concern from former neighbours of his around Phillips House, who fear his return.

"In April I reported on the outcome of an internal council decision after an appeal against his eviction, that Mr McCarthy might be permitted to return to Orsett.

"As he is about to be released and is 'time-served' in terms of his criminality, is it likely that his return to the property will be sanctioned?

"It seems a shame that, in these times of a significant housing shortage in the borough, this property has been empty since 16 December 2025. Presumably that decision was to allow him the opportunity to return when he was able - which will be very shortly.

"If he is not going to return, can the council explain why the requisite repairs have not taken place over the past 10 months and a property that could have been a home for someone in need has remained empty?"

Later in the evening Mr Speight updated the council with news that McCarthy was already out of prison.

A response from the council came at 5.01pm on Wednesday.

This is the statement:

Cllr Russell Cherry, Cabinet member for Veterans, Enforcement and Environment, said: "It is extremely disappointing to learn that a criminal can be convicted, sentenced to a custodial sentence and released back into the community on the same day.

"The council will be keeping a close eye on this situation. We are also in touch with neighbours in the block to reassure them that their safety and security is of the utmost importance to us.

"We take their concerns seriously and we will be working with our partner agencies to investigate any issues they raise."

The statement neither answered the questions at Phillips House, or did it acknowledge the fact that seven and a half hours previously, the council had already handed the key over.

Nub News contacted Reform's Cllr Cherry directly to inform him that McCarthy was back in the flat and he responded by saying: "The council had to let him back in by law, the officers and I are all angry about this. The process to have him permanently evicted continues. The police are aware.

"The problem is and the one I hope you can concentrate on is that the Government have done this with their early release of prisoners scheme.

"Successive Governments have failed to build more prison places. At the same time letting in thousands of unknown risks.

"The man is on licence if he breaches it he can be arrested and sent back to HMP. The process continues the police are aware, his local councillors are aware and no one is happy with it.

"It's the Government that's where you need to point your finger."

Ward councillor Steve Taylor said: "I think Cllr Cherry has provided a full and accurate response." His fellow ward councillor, borough mayor Bill Cook, has not commented.

Thurrock's senior police officer, divisional commander Chief Inspector Danny Barnes said: "I appreciate why there is such strong public interest and, like many residents, I understand the frustration that has been expressed following the outcome.

"Essex Police officers worked hard over a prolonged period to investigate the offences, identify and arrest the offender, gather the evidence and present that evidence to the courts.

"The impact on victims has been significant and I know officers involved were fully committed to securing the best possible outcome."

Despite being released, McCarthy still has a further date in court later this month.

He is still to answer charges with four offences from 2025 which some escaped inclusion in the charges detailed above.

The charges are:

20 September 2025 stole four bottles of motor oil valued at £270 from a BP garage.

On the same day made off without paying for diesel fuel values at £50.40 from the same garage, the BP petrol station on the A13 Eastbound carriageway near Orsett.

He has also been charged with driving a Volkswagen Golf (GF25 NPU) on Stanford Road on 22 October 2025 without insurance or a valid licence.

He is next due to appear at Southend Magistrates Court on those charges on 21 October 2026. That date was set at a 'mention and fix' hearing at Southend Magistrates Court on 23 September, which McCarthy did not attend.

That was most probably because the summons that slowly worked its way through the judicial system was sent to the boarded-up Phillips House flat – while McCarthy was enjoying his Majesty's hospitality at HMP Chelmsford.

COMMENT by Nub News Editor Neil Speight

IN my 48 years in journalism I cannot think of a story that has angered me so much as this one – so God alone knows how those directly affected , ie McCarthy's victims and his neighbours in Orsett feel.

This isn't really about Zac McCarthy in a vindictive sense. He's probably one of many in similar circumstances and I hope he can make good on his heartfelt statement to the judge. Which, with the help of his brothers and family, he just might. and his mum deserves a break.

But it's about the bigger picture. The UK justice system is broken – as is Thurrock Council. And governance in the country generally. It's not about the people any more, it's about politicians' self-interest and civil servants banking gilt-edged pensions.

Both the judiciary and council are run by bureaucrats who make life-changing decisions but are held to account when they mess up.

They don't give a damn about what people want from them. Fairness and equity – and honesty.

McCarthy's abuse of the curfew system – going out to commit crimes by day while earning prison time credit by tucking himself up at home at night is so bizarre, I had to keep asking myself if what I heard in court and later wrote wasn't just in my imagination.

I cannot get my head around many things related to this case but one sticks out above all else.

Police officers had McCarthy banged to rights for his invasive and brutal burglary at the home of a much-loved citizen. They had his DNA at the scene and McCarthy's only defence was 'I was with my mum'.

By pleading not guilty he dragged his prosecution out for substantially more than two years. Then cynically changed his plea at the 11 and a halfth hour – for which he gets prison time credit. Gobsmacking.

But that's the law. Whatever your view of McCarthy, he was acting with the rules of a bloody awful 'game'. Justice appears to be a matter of which dice you roll - and sometimes you can get lucky.

He should have been hauled up before a judge within months of the crime. The evidence was there but where was the will for justice? Had he got his sentence then, a lot less crime and a lot less heartache would have happened. and McCarthy might have had the lifechanging experience he says he's just had before he turned 30 and he could have rebuilt his life now.

I don't blame the police, they got their man. As was proved by his guilty plea. It's the courts and judicial system that is in a complete and utter mess – and talking about overcrowded prisons must not distract from that.

And I simply cannot believe Thurrock Council's lack of will or intent to get McCarthy out of the Phillips House flat. To quote Spock - 'The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one'. There must be somewhere else they could have found to house him in an environment where he has a fresh start. Why build problems on top of problems?

The law is clear. There is a process for closure orders and evictions.

The council has the power to evict any tenant if they break anti-social behaviour guidelines.

There is a strict process but TBC were well-down that path by getting a fully evidenced closure order.

The council does not automatically have to give the keys back at the expiry of a closure order if they have initiated separate legal action to recover possession of the property.

That separate legal action can be justified by a tenant being involved in serious criminal activity.

McCarthy had already pleaded guilty to serious criminal offences in April this year. Thurrock Council had ample time ahead of his sentencing to get the matter sorted. They had rock solid grounds to do that. What can be stronger evidence than a guilty plea in a Crown Court?

McCarthy was removed from the property on the back of a closure order via a court of law in December. Having been granted the closure order the council can then apply for a full eviction notice if they have the evidence. I repeat, what can be stronger evidence than a Crown Court confession, meaning he was sure to be convicted?

One of the main grounds for granting such an eviction order is:

Serious Anti-Social Behaviour & Closure Orders (Ground 7A)

• This ground applies if a tenant, or someone living with/visiting them, has been convicted of a serious crime in the area, or breached a formal anti-social behaviour injunction.

Since being in occupation at Phillips House, McCarthy has committed a number of serious crimes - damned by his Honour Judge Cohen - as reprehensible and disgusting. He pleaded guilty to many of those crimes at Crown Court in May this year.

The council may squirm around this and say a confession in court is not a conviction. But the council could have had everything ready to press a legal action if and when a conviction was confirmed – which it was at about 1pm on Tuesday, 6 October.

The council has a highly-paid director in charge of this matter and a plethora of lawyers on its payroll to back him and his department up.

Not going for the eviction order is not a case of 'We can't', it's a decision that says 'We won't.

It is disgraceful that the council has been sat on its hands because of disinterest, incompetence and lack of foresight.

They had a decision to make on Tuesday, there was little risk to the council in saying 'No' to the request for McCarthy getting his keys back but instead it folded its cards and allowed him back.

Try explaining that to the neighbours and to the thousands of deserving and honest people on the council list who would love to move into a home in Orsett.

Heads should roll, but I'll bet they won't. But rest assured our investigation hasn't finished and I will do my damndest to expose the rotten cogs turning the council's wheel of shame.

But speaking of cards, there is one the council might still be able to play. McCarthy is up before magistrates on four charges later this month. Two are for motoring offence which might not class as serious criminal acts (even though they are in my view).

But two remain:

Driving off without paying for fuel in the UK is classified as the criminal offence of making off without payment under Section 3 of the Theft Act 1978.

Taking goods from a shop without paying is legally classified as theft under Section 1 of the Theft Act 1968.

You can go to prison for both – which makes them pretty serious.

Maybe this time – if Thurrock Council are sharp enough – two wrongs may still make up a right.