FOLLOWING a theft in Wickford police are seeking to identify a couple.

The theft from Superdrug took place on Monday, April 8. A man and woman entered the store and selected items from the display and concealed them in their bags before leaving, having made no attempt to pay.

The total value of the items taken was over £150 and included suntan cream.

They are both described as white, aged between 20-40. He had very short hair and the woman's hair is described as red and in a very long ponytail.

Anyone who recognises the couple is asked to contact Pc Kevin Bingham at Basildon on 101.

Murder accused, Paul Groves, told Chelmsford Crown Court today that his reason for going to the remote farm where William (Billy Boy) Martindale is said to have been bludgeoned to death was to tell him to calm down – to "chill out."

He admitted yesterday that he hit the self-styled gangster with a pick-axe handle and said under cross examination today he realised that was likely to cause "damage."

But he said that when he had left the scene he thought Mr Martindale was just unconscious.

He told the court that Mr Martindale had made a phone call threatening to stab his (Groves') father.

He said that, although he believed Mr Martindale was a "bully, gangster and a criminal", he went to see him to "tell him to calm down" to "chill out."

But said Mr Martindale got up and, fearing that he was going to be attacked, he hit him with the pick-axe handle.

When Simon Spence QC for the prosecution put it to him : "You couldn't really hit someone without causing any damage," he agreed.

But, while accepting that what he did was "serious violence" he told the court : "I didn't want to do any more than I had to but I didn't think too far ahead."

Yesterday he told the court that Mr Martindale had bragged to him that he was a "gangster and a criminal" and that he killed two hitmen.

Groves told the court today : "I hit him (Mr Martindale) as quick as I could to stop him from getting up. I was terrified I was going to get shot."

He said that when police arrived at his home about an hour after the incident he had not know that Mr Martindale was dead.

"I didn't really know they were there for me," he told the court.

He added that when he was told he was being arrested for murder he had asked : "Who's dead?"

"I didn't realise it was Bill who'd died, I wasn't sure. I just thought he was unconscious," he said.

He said Mr Martindale had been trying to get money from him for the equipment he had used in one crop of cannabis which hadn't worked.

Groves, 34, of Queensway, Ongar, denies murdering Mr Martindale and also inflicting grievous bodily harm on another man Paul Meeking, 54, of Barking, who was there that evening with Mr Martindale.

The attack is alleged to have taken place at his smallholding at Meadow View Farm, High Ongar, on 7 September last year.

The hearing continues.

end

A 22 year old pervert from Galleywood said to have been caught up in a "fantasy world" of porn was spared jail by one of Essex's top judges today.

Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC told Andrew Leigh, of Goshawk Drive, Galleywood : "You have admitted some disgusting offences of child pornography of the worst kind and I'm tempted to send you immediately to prison."

The judge had been told that as well as child porn the cache of pornography found at Leigh's home included material showing sex acts involving animals.

However, instead of an immediate jail sentence the judge imposed a two year jail sentence but suspended it for two years.

The court was told that when police raided Leigh's home they seized 1,223 extreme pornographic films and images.

Leigh pleaded guilty to eight offences of possessing "extreme" images, two of distributing images and four of downloading indecent images of children.

As he passed sentence Judge Goldstaub said : "There was no physical contact, you became hooked on this type of pornography in a way that you couldn't control or manage."

In addition to the suspended sentence he also fined Leigh £485 with £15 victim surcharge, ordered him to pay £500 costs and attend the internet sex offenders programme. He made an indefinite sex offenders prevention order and placed Leigh on the sex offenders register for ten years.

Leigh's counsel, Anne Pereira, told the court : "He co-operated with the police saying 'it's me' and handed over all the equipment involved. He was relieved having been frightened and concerned about what to do. He was caught in a fantasy world."

She added that since his arrest messages had appeared on Facebook and the family felt threatened and had moved out of their home for a time.

It's the night-time terror that for many thousands of people across Havering is the cause of stress anxiety and many a sleepless night.

While there are many causes of snoring, the end result is always the same; snorts, grunts and whistling, that can prevent or interrupt sleep patterns. But, doctors are warning that regular snoring maybe a sign of something more serious.

A survey conducted by BMI Healthcare in London found that in Havering 73 per cent of residents said their partners sleeping habits had caused arguments or affected their night's sleep.

Snoring occurs when the throat, tongue, and muscles in the roof of the mouth relax, obstructing the airways. The obstruction causes air turbulence when you breathe. Snoring affects people of all ages, though it can worsen as you get older.

"While snoring for many people can be annoying and disruptive we don't generally think of it as something to be overly concerned or worried about," Adrian Williams Professor of Sleep Medicine at BMI Healthcare commented. "However frequent, loud snoring can be a sign of sleep apnoea, a common and potentially serious disorder that causes interruptions in your breathing during sleep."

Sleep apnoea affects the way you breathe while you're sleeping. During an episode of sleep apnoea, breathing is briefly interrupted or becomes very shallow. These pauses in the normal breathing rhythm typically last between 10 to 20 seconds and can occur hundreds of times a night, jolting you out of your natural sleep rhythm. As a consequence, you spend more time in light sleep and less time in the deep, restorative sleep you need to be energetic, mentally sharp, and productive the next day.

Here Professor Williams and his team at BMI Healthcare look at the simple changes that can help ease snoring and help prevent episodes of sleep apnoea:

• Lose weight if you are overweight or obese
• Limit your alcohol consumption and avoiding alcohol during the evening
• Quit smoking
• Avoid the use of sleeping tablets and tranquillisers
• Don't sleep on your back

Lifestyle changes, such as losing excess weight, can often help mild cases of sleep apnoea to resolve. In more severe cases though, the use of breathing apparatus while sleeping may be necessary. Left untreated sleep apnoea can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

"Many people may not think that they could visit their GP about their snoring," Professor Williams commented. "But, if your snoring is affecting your sleep and is impacting your life with excessive tiredness or poor concentration it could be a sign you are having episodes of sleep apnoea. Mild cases of sleep apnoea can usually be treated by making simple lifestyle changes, but it is always important to visit your GP so they can perform an assessment and suggest the best available treatment plan.

A PENSIONER has decided to give up flights abroad after the metal inside him kept setting off airport scanners.

Roger Hickford, 71, has been flying on holiday with wife Rosemary for almost 50 years. But the hassle caused by his metal joint replacements passing through airport detectors has proved too much for the Maldon man.

"We'll be left standing in an airport queue for up to three quarters of an hour and then as soon as I walk through the machine is set off," said Roger.

"You can imagine how that makes me feel when I have to explain every time. We either have to give up or put up with it so we've decided just to stop for the moment."

The retired builder has had replacement metal joints inserted into his hips, knees and shoulders.

Wife Rosemary also suffers from severe spinal problems and the Essex couple took the difficult decision to give up flying despite nearly five decades of foreign holidays.

"I remember our first flight was in 1966 flying from Southend to Ostend, Belgium. We had been celebrating England's progression in the World Cup and I remember feeling a little worse for wear as we travelled," said the 71-year-old.

"We had wanted to travel to Australia last Christmas to visit our son but thought it would be just too hard, and the same with travelling to Las Vegas with our daughter."

Mr Hickford has faced particular difficulty in foreign airports where officials struggle to understand his explanations for setting off the alarm.

"We've travelled to Turkey and sometimes they just don't understand when I tell them it's the metal plates," he added.

"If you looked at me you wouldn't know there's anything wrong, I look perfectly healthy but my bones are literally crumbling away.

"I may have to undergo an operation on my other knee soon."

To avoid the routine hassle the Maldon couple have decided to stick to coach trips in the UK for now, although Mr Hickford has said he's hopeful they may one day take to the skies again.

THE owner of a restored Maldon battleship has denied claims that it is off to fight Somali pirates after it was detained by authorities in Spain.

Former Royal Navy Lieutenant Chris Enmarsh has rubbished allegations that his British-owned Defender and its crew are intending to work as mercenaries along the East African coastline, after a visit from authorities at Santa Cruz port on the island of Tenerife.

"All I have to say is that the vessel is not working in any form of piracy protection and is under the class of pleasure craft until such time as she does go to work in the future," Mr Enmarsh told The Chronicle.

"We can come and go to the UK whenever we like as it is the ship which is temporarily detained.

"We have to comply with having our life rafts and fire fighting systems upgraded, which we are doing now.

"Once that is done we are free to leave."

The ex-Omani Navy fast attack vessel was armed and modernised in 2011 at Fullbridge after languishing on the Blackwater estuary for three years.

Prior to launch it was fitted with two cannons on the decks, as well as two machine guns on each side, giving 360 degree coverage.

But the vessel was forced to make an unscheduled stop at the Spanish port last week after a problem with one of its generators.

A routine inspection revealed "administrative irregularities" with documentation, according to local government officials, and it has since been detained at the request of the local Maritime Authority.

Mr Enmarsh denies reports that the 127ft vessel, built in Lowestoft for the Sultan of Oman, is suspected of being used to ward off Somali pirates, despite statements made to the Chronicle in November 2011.

At the time he said: "Defender's task will be to deter pirates intent on boarding the many ships that pass the East African coastline. One look at her should be enough to send them looking for easier targets.

"She will be manned by handpicked ex-Royal Marine Commandos and run as a professional naval ship, obeying the rules of engagement.

"Our primary task will be to protect oil platforms which are towed close to the coast of East Africa, and a number of oil companies want to hire Defender to look after their interests.

"We are not mercenaries; this is strictly a business venture similar to other British private protection firms which operate in Iraq and Afghanistan."

However, the ex-Navy man claims these plans had since changed.

He said: "Over time the objectives have changed and I no longer wanted to go into any form of anti-piracy as that is actually in decline," he said.

The Maritime Authority in Santa Cruz has declined to comment.

A FATHER has condemned a neighbourhood watch that names and shames irresponsible dog owners for being a "menace to the community".

John Crosbie, who lives with his young family in Mayland, is furious after he claims members of the Dengie Dog Poo Neighbourhood Watch printed his address on their facebook group falsely alleging he had failed to clean up after his German Shepherd Simba.

The IT director was told his details had been made public on Sunday (April 28) as part of a 'hoax' and immediately contacted police.

"By the time I was notified by a friend, members of the Facebook group had begun making aggressive and false allegations," said Mr Crosbie.

"People were being encouraged to behave in this way, it created a witch-hunt.

"One lady showed up at my address to say how uncomfortable she was with the situation, but it could just as easily have been a parent whose child was blinded by dog poo, or a brick through my window – I'm absolutely livid."

The group, which has nearly 600 members, was created by 49-year-old Andy Turfkruyer to identify those in the district who failed to clean up after their dogs.

Members are encouraged to post photos or details of incidents on the group's facebook page to shame them into picking up after their pets but Andy, who lives in Burnham, is now re-thinking this approach.

"It is not the policy of the group to print the addresses of people and as soon as I realised those kind of details were mentioned in a discussion I deleted the posts," he told the Chronicle.

"Mr Crosby was not named on the facebook page until he identified himself and had a rant – the majority of members did not know who he was until that point.

"It turns out the original allegation came from a case of 'frape' and it has made me seriously re-think the 'naming and shaming'. I've realised I could be given false information and I don't want to tarnish anyone's reputation."

Frape is a term used to describe when someone hacks into another's facebook account and posts messages as that person.

Although the stream was removed from the page, Mr Crosbie is now considering taking legal action.

"It turned out that the allegations were a big hoax from some young people who had tried to wind up members of the group," Mr Crosbie added.

"I have young children at primary and this could have led to bullying. Those responsible should be taken to task."

A police spokesperson said: "We have received a complaint about a Facebook group which is alleged to have been publishing personal details of people in connection with dog fouling.

"A police officer will be in contact with the informant to discuss the issue. We understand the informant has been in contact with Facebook and has had information removed from the group."

PROFESSIONAL cyclist and Chelmsford boy Alex Dowsett is preparing for this year's Giro D'italia in Spain – yet only after first visiting the masterminds behind his beloved Mercedes.

Alex, 24, who in 2011 was crowned the fastest cyclist in the country, met with Waterhouse Cars on Monday where his car is serviced.

The garage, who specialise servicing his team's main sponsor – Volvo – are looking to associate with Alex and his new charity, Little Bleeders.

The Movistar team cyclist was diagnosed with Haemophilia as a baby, which means he bleeds fast and spontaneously due to a genetic disorder related to blood clotting.

Yet the KEGS school-boy will still compete in the 23-day Italian competition at the end of May – up against Bradley Wiggins who he took the National Time Trial title off of in 2011.

Waterhouse Cars sales manager Sue Cleveland said: "Doing the competition in the condition he is in is just remarkable.

"One fall and he could be bleeding to death."

She added: "He's a really nice lad and so passionate about his little charity."

Alex, who as a child would hide the spots where he was bleeding to avoid a dreaded injection, has displayed some of his stories on his charity website.

For more information visit www.littlebleeders.com

ROB QUINEY insists his focus is solely on Essex after missing out on Australia's Ashes squad.

The 30-year-old batsman won two Test caps in the series against South Africa in November, but after scoring nine in his only innings in the first, he bagged a pair in the second.

He has not featured for Australia since, and was not named in either their full squad or A squad for the summer tours to England.

But he remains upbeat about his international chances – although he knows he must score big runs for Essex first.

He said: "I wasn't surprised at all, I'm not disappointed.

"I know what I have to do if I was to get back into the side and that's to score a mountain of runs.

"Twenties and 50s aren't going to cut it I wouldn't have thought.

"My focus right now is purely on Essex and trying to do my best for them, and try and improve my cricket at the same time.

"If we can get some wins, the Ashes are still two or three months away. It's still a long time."

The Victorian, who is batting at three for Essex in this week's game with Hampshire due to the return of England captain Alastair Cook, is on a deal with Essex until the end of the Twenty20 campaign, but his omission from the Ashes party could pave the way for a longer stint in Chelmsford.

"It depends how I go really," he added. "If I pull my finger out and start making some big runs then possibly I will stay a bit longer. But our focus, and my focus right now, is Hampshire this week."

Despite being on the other side of the world, Quiney is settling in well in Essex – but after a disappointing start for the team, he is keen to get on the winning trail.

He added: "I'm enjoying myself at the moment but obviously I'll enjoy myself a lot more with a couple of wins and a few extra runs on the board.

"The conditions are as I expected. I've spoken to enough people about English conditions.

"They couldn't give me the heads up about training in snow, but you deal with that.

"My team-mates have been unbelievable to me. I couldn't ask for any better team-mates."

Essex begin their one-day campaign against Hampshire Royals under the lights at Chelmsford on Friday night, and Quiney is relishing his first taste of limited-overs cricket for the club. "I've heard the atmosphere here is fantastic," he said. "The Essex crowd are very loyal and passionate so I've been told and I can't wait to get out there in front of them and hopefully we can put on a good show."

A FAMILY are growing increasing concerned about the whereabouts of their missing cat and are desperate to find him – dead or alive.

Louise and Terry Griffiths, of Orchard End, Ongar, have been searching high and low since six-year-old Abyssinian Willow disappeared on March 30.

The couple, who have no children, cherishes the pedigree cat 'like a son' and say they have been left heartbroken following his disappearance.

Mr Griffiths, a retired sales manager, said: "We have been going out every day to look for him.

"We have put up notices on lampposts, spoken to local vets, put letters through doors – we have tried everything.

"He has only ever gone missing once before when he got trapped inside somewhere, so this is very unusual.

"We just want to know what has happened.

"Everything we have tried has failed – we haven't even had one phone call, not even a false alarm.

"We have had him since he was a kitten and my wife cherishes him like a child, it's awful not knowing what has happened."

He added: "We can't keep him inside or lock him in, we once went on holiday for a couple of weeks and put him in a cattery.

"Within a few days he had gnawed his way through the metal fence and escaped, and was not found until just before we got back."

The Griffiths' have had three Abyssinians over the years, as well as two Somalis – a closely related breed.

"Abyssinians are very lovely cats and Willow means so much to me," said former telephonist Mrs Griffiths.

"It is devastating that he has gone, I just want to know what has happened.

"Someone must know what happened to him, whether he was hit or ended up locked in their house. We are desperate for any news of him, alive or dead

"We love him very much and I know that he loves us just as much.

"He means a great deal to us, we don't have children and we have always had cats."

She added: "It's so unlike him to disappear.

"The last time he did anything like this was three years ago and that was only a 24 hour thing.

"He came back injured but he recovered.

"He is a very friendly cat and he loves being stroked, he has a yellow collar but no name tag although we have had him chipped and neutered."

Mr Griffiths added: "We are worried that he might have gone anywhere after getting stuck in someone's car, so if anyone sees a cat like Willow, no matter how far away they are, it may be him."

The couple have reported Willow's disappearance to both Essex Police and Epping Forest District Council.

If you have seen Willow or know anything that might help find him, get in contact with the Griffiths on 01277 364918.