News in Thurrock

DESPITE considerable anger and criticism about the 'short sentence' issued to a drunken, drugged killer driver who took the life of a much-loved Thurrock woman and seriously injured an 11-year-old girl, Essex Police have welcomed the term of additional imprisonment announced by a judge yesterday.

In the wake of the appearance in court of Liam Jones-Bell yesterday (Tuesday, 26 November), Thurrock NewNubs carried an extensive report of the proceedings in which the Laindon man was given a further five year sentence on top of the three years and four months in jail he received in June last year when he admitted two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop after a collision, aggravated vehicle taking, drink-driving, driving while unfit through drugs, driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

ONE of the highlights of the Thurrock Christmas calendar is set to once again boost local charities and good causes around the globe.

The Rotary Club of Grays' Thurrock Christmas Concert at the Civic Hall has become an annual event and this year's concert is the tenth the Rotarians will have produced.

A POTENTIALLY lifesaving device which will serve the local community has been installed at the site of a West Thurrock-based business.

Powered Access Hire firm Nationwide Platforms has completed the purchase and installation of a defibrillator at their depot located on Oliver Road.

POLICE are appealing for information following an attempted robbery in Grays.

It was reported man in his 30s was stopped by a group of men on his moped outside The Oak pub in Lodge Lane at around 7.15pm on Thursday, 21 November.

A CHRISTMAS bazaar will take place this weekend at St Michael's and All Angels Church in Aveley.

It will open at 11am and run until 3pm offering a refreshments, cakes, preserves, a tombola, craft items and much more.

THE nomination period for Thurrock Council's Civic Awards 2020 has been extended until midnight, Monday 9 December 2019.

By extending the nomination period by seven days, local people, partners and businesses across the borough will have more opportunity to nominate their community heroes for one of eight awards:

MYSTERY about responsibility and who will take action to help new homeowners devastated by a botched luxury apartment development in Grays continues.

Pullman Court has been a troubled site since day one.

EMOTIONAL tributes were paid in court today to the 65-victim of a drug and drink driver - whose actions have had a devastating effect on an East Tilbury family who are now reflecting on the fact he will walk out of prison in another two and a half years.

Miss Barbara Murray, 65, never regained consciousness after being hit by a vehicle driven by Liam Jones-Bell, now 27, on 16 May, 2018.

AFTER a year's absence, the Hardie Park Community Christmas Day meal in Stanford-le-Hope is about to make a comeback.

Volunteers are now being sought to join those who will help put the special festive event together, as the Friends of Hardie Park's Rob Groves explains: "After a year off we've decided to organise our lovely Christmas Day meal for some of Thurrock's loneliest residents again.

FIREFIGHTERS were called to an industrial building in Romford Road, Aveley, this morning where a storage unit was ablaze.

Grays fire station watch manager Lee Hollingworth said: "We estimate the fire had been burning for around four or five hours before it was discovered, so by the time we arrived it had almost starved itself of oxygen and burned itself out.