News in Thurrock

THE last desperate hours of a group of 39 Vietnamese people who died during an attempt to smuggle them into the UK was recalled in court today (Friday, 9 October).

The bodies of the would be immigrants were discovered in the back of a lorry container in West Thurrock on 23 October last year and four men are on trial at the Old Bailey on a number of charges related to the deaths.

EAST Thurrock United will be looking to record a first win of the Isthmian Premier season when they entertain Merstham at Rookery Hill on Saturday (10 October).

With just one point to their name so far, earned in a tight match at Brightlingsea last Saturday, the Rocks will be looking to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat at Haringey Borough on Monday evening.

A VIOLENT criminal, who forced his way into the home of an elderly woman, bound and gagged her and stole money and bank cards, has been removed from our streets and locked up for ten years.

Dennis Passingham, 46, of no fixed abode has been jailed for ten years and will spend another five years on an extended licence after he pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court.

A SEASON of motorsport racing in America ended on a high for former Stanford-le-Hope schoolgirl Emily Linscott.

The youngster, who attended St Clere's School, has spent the past couple of months on the Mareican sports car circuit which culminated in the final rounds of the 2020 Lucas Oil School of Racing Formula Car Series in Sebring, Florida.

A MESSAGE has gone out that Thurrock's libraries are open and ready to welcome borough residents of all ages.

Thurrock Nub News called in at Tilbury library today (Friday, 9 October) where staff were keen to get the message across that most libraries across the borough are opening their doors again and they are hoping local folk will start to return.

TEARS flowed at an emotional ceremony as a tribute to the late Peter Hewitt MBE, 'Mr Tilbury' to many in the Thurrock town, was unveiled by his widow today (Friday, 9 October).

A plaque commemorating the work of Peter has been placed on the Civic Centre close to the town's war memorial and was dedicated by Mrs Irene Hewitt who thanked everyone in the town for their care, concern and tribute to the man described as the architect of many of the community organisations in Tilbury.

A SECOND day of the trial of men charged with offences relating to the deaths of 39 Vietnamese nationals, whose bodies were discovered in Thurrock, brought the revelation that some of those who died had already been on one failed mission to get into the UK.

Four men are on trial at the Old Bailey in connection with the deaths. Lorry driver Eamonn Harrison and Gheorghe Nica are accused of manslaughter. The pair are also accused of being part of a people-smuggling conspiracy with another lorry driver, Christopher Kennedy, and Valentin Calota.

A REFRIGERATED lorry container became a "tomb" as 39 desperate men, women and children suffocated inside, a trial at the Old Bailey has heard.

The harrowing story of the final hours of the Vietnamese nationals seeking to gain illegal entry into the UK was told at the trial of two men, lorry driver Eamonn Harrison and Gheorghe Nica who are accused of manslaughter. The pair are also accused of being part of a people-smuggling conspiracy with another lorry driver, Christopher Kennedy, and Valentin Calota.

A MAN has been charged following a collision near Orsett on Monday, 5 October that claimed the life of Grays taxi driver Norman Bullock.

Tribute has been paid to Mr Bullock, 65, who worked for Thameside Taxis.

TREETOPS School is Grays has been closed down because of coronavirus issues.

A number of staff members are believed to have tested positive and others are being forced into self-isolation, meaning that the school cannot be staffed properly and has to close.