Basildon Essex
Archive for August, 2010
Church raid stops ‘sham marriage’
Aug 27th
A BRIDE and groom were arrested at the altar on suspicion of being involved in a fake marriage scam.The couple looked shocked as officers from the UK Border Agency burst into their nuptials and arrested the whole wedding party.
It is thought the bogus marriage had been arranged so the groom, a Nigerian national, could get a visa to stay in the UK, while the bride was paid up to £2,000 for her services.
The drama unfolded in front of priest Father Tim Codling and his church wardens, his wife Jenny and Brenda Walker, who had become suspicious about the marriage after the groom supplied them with two different addresses on marriage paperwork.
Man stabbed outside Pitsea care home
Aug 27th
A MAN was stabbed in broad daylight outside an elderly care home.
The 27-year-old Wickford man was walking to his car outside Maydells Court, in Maydells, Pitsea, around 10.40am on Tuesday when he was viciously attacked by two men.
He had just returned from a visit to nearby shops in Northlands Pavement.
The attack came just a day after a 17-year-old was stabbed during a row with a group of men near a children’s play area in Norwich Walk at Basildon’s Craylands estate.
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen loves BasVegas!
Aug 26th
DAPPER interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen praised Basildon’s Hollywood-style sign… calling it shiny, sexy and elegant.Laurence, 45, spent yesterday in Basildon to record an episode of his new ITV series House Gift.
In the show, Laurence and two other experts compete to find the perfect gift for people’s homes.
The flamboyant star was filmed outside the so-called Basil-wood sign, on a hill on the A127, between the Fortune of War and the A176 junction.
Speaking about the sign, Laurence said: “I love the sign – it’s very shiny, very sexy, very elegant and very discreet. It’s tailored, just like Basildon itself.”
Teenager stabbed in Basildon estate attack
Aug 26th
A TEENAGER was stabbed by a gang of men near a children’s playground.
The 17-year-old boy was rushed to hospital after being attacked at 3.30pm yesterday, near the play area at Norwich Walk, on Basildon’s Craylands estate.
He remained in a serious condition at Basildon Hospital last night.
It is believed a gang of mainly black men and one white man stabbbed him, before fleeing.
A 40-year-old resident from Lincoln Road, said: “Everyone is saying it was gang-related.
“I wouldn’t be surprised. There are always people hanging around in gangs on this estate. It shouldn’t be allowed to happen.
“Craylands is just getting worse and worse. Hopefully it will be better when they knock it down.”
Missing boa constrictor found
Aug 26th
A six-foot long boa constrictor which sparked fear in the Wickford community after it went missing, has been found.
Two-year-old Diego, was discovered in the back garden of his owner’s home almost a month to the day after he slithered out.
When the animal went missing from its home in Barnfield, after smashing its way out of its glass tank, a search operation, which involved the police, was mounted.
At one point locals dubbed the creature “the beast of Barnfield” and feared it could be living in Wickford Memorial Park.
Rocket man – husband’s ashes made into a firework
Aug 26th
THIS guy is certainly going out with a bang…Paul Wilson loved Guy Fawkes Night so much, his widow has had his ashes put inside a firework!
Mr Wilson, 47, who died unexpectedly in May, had joked with his widow, Tina, about the unconventional send-off.
Now Mrs Wilson, 43, of Foxfield Drive, Stanford-le-Hope, has granted his wish.
She said: “Paul always really enjoyed fireworks night. We had a house in Florida and whenever we went to Epcot theme park, his favourite part was the fireworks.
“When he was a kid, he was always blowing things up at home, and when he worked at the Ministry of Defence, he was always blowing things up too, so it’s quite fitting.
Bliss the Love Handler stolen from truck
Aug 20th
THIEVES stole a haul of weight loss products worth £25,000.The thieves cut the side curtains of the DAF lorry in Thurrock Parkway, Tilbury, causing £100 damage.
They stole seven pallets of the product called “Bliss the Love Handler liquid workout for abdominals”.
The cosmetics are used to tone up and firm the skin.
Investigating officer PC Paul Hogben, of Tilbury police, said: “This is quite a specialised cosmetic, and not readily available everywhere.
“If you are approached to buy any, we want to hear from you as soon as possible.”
Landfill site will be a haven for nature
Aug 20th
A FORMER landfill site will be transformed into a picturesque nature reserve after more than £2.85million in funding was secured.Essex Wildlife Trust can access the funds from Cory Environmental Trust and Thames Gateway Parklands, after meeting the condition of raising £100,000 itself.
The money will be used to turn the Mucking site in Stanford-le-Hope into the Thurrock Thameside Nature Park.
Road traffic camera cut down by crooks
Aug 20th
THIEVES used heavy-duty machinery to remove a traffic camera from lamp post in Leigh.
Police believe the misguided crooks thought the camera in Western Road was a speed trap.
In fact the £2,500 camera, which also uses radar to detect passing vehicles, belongs to Southend Council. It monitors and records the volume of traffic and was put in to help residents.
Man has surgery after nightclub attack
Aug 17th
A MAN was left needing surgery to his jaw after he was attacked at Basildon’s Festival Leisure Park.
The 22-year-old man was in Liquid nightclub on Saturday August 7 when he was attacked.
He suffered a fractured jaw in the fight.
The attack happened on Saturday August 7.
Basildon
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