Sophie Watson

Braintree WJC Birthing Unit: 4.05am

Weight: 7lb 3oz

Parents: Rachel, 30, & Simon Watson, 30, of Chelmer Road, Braintree

Rachel: "it will be nice for Sophie when she is older. I'm glad it is a boy because if she was also called Sophie everyone would think I copied them!"Dultie Mercer

Braintree WJC Birthing Unit: 4.50am

Weight: 8lb 9oz

Parents: Laura Clark, 27, & Michael Mercer, 30, of Main Road, Mundon

Laura: "It does make it quite special that our daughter shares the same day as the royal baby."Harriet Fleur Davenport

Broomfield Hospital: 9.45am

Weight: 8lb 15oz

Parents: Nicole Davenport, 39, & Jamie Davenport, 38, of Springfield

Nicole: "It never crossed my mind it could be the same day because I had an emergency C-section."

Jamie: "It's nice because we'll never forget her birthday!"Taid Patrick George Owen

Broomfield Hospital: 9.48am

Weight: 8lb 13oz

Parents: Joanne Waters Owen, 38, & Matthew Owen, 43, of Lower Anchor Street, Old Moulsham

Joanne: "We're very proud to have a little boy the same day as the prince and it's nice to know that as he gets older he will get this little coin to mark the day."Evelyn Howard

Broomfield Hospital: 11.25amWeight: 7lb 14oz

Parents: Amie Smith, 25, & Jonathan Howard, 30, of Abell Way, Chelmsford

Amie: "Everyone has been saying it to me ever since it was announced that Kate was due on July 17. My great auntie is 94 and she is excited because she is a big fan of the royal family."

Noah Marc Smithyes

Broomfield hospital: 12.13pm

Weight: 7lb 9oz

Parents: Sophie Ham, 24, & Aaron Smithyes, 25, of Chelmer Village

Sophie: "I'm still a bit in shock from it all. We were waiting for the news of the royal baby a couple of hours before we came here."Lacey Marsh

Broomfield Hospital: 1.46pm

Weight: 7lb 7oz

Parents: Kathryn Knapp, 29, & Lloyd Marsh, 25, Barnard Road, Galleywood

Lloyd: "I told her she would give birth about 12.05am the day after!"

Kathryn: "It is something special, it doesn't happen every day – it's great, you can't beat it."

(First name TBC) James Govender

Broomfield Hospital: 3.32pm

Weight: 6lb 11oz

Parents: Geetha Govender, 45, & Val Govender, 46, Springfield

Geetha: "I think it's an honour to be born on the same day but we never really thought about it before – just to have your own child is the most special."Thomas Sobotka

Broomfield Hospital: 4.34pm

Weight: 6lb 9oz

Parents: Monika, 25, & Christoph Sobotka, of New Writtle Street, Chelmsford

Monika: "I didn't even know anything about the royal baby, my mid wife told me in the evening, I was waiting for my own baby – I didn't know what everyone was talking about."Heidi Isabella Bicknell (in neonatal ward)

Broomfield hospital: 7.27pm

Weight: 8lb 14oz

Parents: Faye Barnard, 21, & Dale Bicknell, 26

Faye: "I didn't think it would be the same day because to be honest I thought I would be sleeping in my own bed last night – I had an emergency C-section at 36 weeks and one day."

BILLERICAY Town captain Glenn Poole is relishing the chance to take on Football League opposition when Dagenham & Redbridge visit New Lodge tonight.

The SkyBet League Two side will be the fifth pre-season opposition for Craig Edwards' Blues, and the first from a higher level.

With their next three games ahead of the Ryman Premier season also coming against teams higher up the pyramid, pre-season is hotting up for Billericay – and midfielder Poole is looking forward to it.

"It's always good to play against teams like that," he said.

"It'll be a big test for us because we've played three teams lower down than us and we've coped really well, but it's always going to be a test against a pro team.

"We can see how far we've come along fitness-wise as well because they're full-time so they're obviously going to be fitter than us.

"But I think we'll be all right, it'll be a good challenge for us."

Now 32, the former Brentford man adds experience as well as quality to the Blues' engine room, and he is enjoying the build-up to the new campaign.

That is added to by the raft of new faces at the club, and Poole is pleased with how things are shaping up.

He added: "It's been a good pre-season to be fair, other than I missed Saturday's session due to a bit of a stomach bug, but other than that it's been really promising this year to be fair.

"It has surprised me. We've got a lot of new players in and they take time to settle, but I've been surprised at how smoothly it's gone so far.

"There's only me, [Dave] Collis and Junior [Luke] from last season, other than that it's all new players.

"The players that have come in didn't know anyone so it was literally a case of getting a brand new squad together and getting everyone to get to know each other on and off the pitch which is important, but to be fair, the harmony in the squad has been absolutely brilliant.

"It's been fantastic considering that we've only been together for three weeks so it can only be promising for the season."

The Ryman League Premier Division fixtures were announced last week, and the Blues will begin their season with a trip to face Harrow Borough.

They then host East Thurrock United and Thamesmead the following week before a trip to Maidstone, and Poole believes his side can hit the ground running.

"I think this year it's going to be a very hard league," he said. "From where we won it two years ago, this is going to be a much more competitive division and again, more so than last year.

"But with no disrespect to the teams that we've got early doors, they are games where we can really put a marker down on the season.

"Harrow's not always the best place to go but we'll fancy our chances.

"Getting a win on the first day of the season is the most important thing and then we've got two decent home games so we'll be looking to take as many points as we can.

"If we don't get off to a good start then people will start looking and saying 'oh, it's a new squad' and this, that and the other, people just look for excuses.

"We're not about that, Craig [Edwards] is not about that, I'm not about that and I think if we continue the way we're going so far then we will hit the ground running. I really do think we'll surprise a few people this year."

LES WHITTON believes his side's tricky opening-day fixture may well play into their hands.

Brentwood Town will kick off the Ryman League Division One North campaign on August 10 with a trip to face title favourites Maldon & Tiptree.

Maldon were beaten in last season's play-off final after at one stage being 15 points clear at the top of the table, and are the bookies' tip to go one further this time around.

Whitton's side are considered mid-table candidates with odds of 16-1, but he believes a tough opener will help his side.

"We don't mind that," he said. "We've got to play them sometime.

"The opening day of the season is always very competitive, everyone wants to win the first game, so it might be a bit of an advantage to go away to one of the top sides and see what we're made of. I'm looking forward to that, then we've got a couple of home games that may be winnable, so it's a good start for us.

"They did well last year, they just missed out and I think they'll be wanting to put that right this year.

"But it's 11 against 11 and we'll give a good account of ourselves.

"You can make of the odds what you want. I think there will be a couple of sides up there but the rest are going to be much of a muchness.

"I think Needham Market will probably be the favourites, Maldon up there with them, Redbridge are spending a lot of money.

"But there's a lot of points to be played for so I think we've got as much chance of taking them as anybody."

Whitton fielded two separate sides in friendlies on Saturday, one team drawing 2-2 at Harold Hill and another losing 4-2 at Barking, but it has helped him narrow down his squad.

And he admits there were some hard decisions to be made when he let some players go.

"I've let boys go who are technically excellent players," he added.

"But the nature of this league, you can't just have technical players, you've got to have a mixture of people who will give you 100 per cent every game and work hard for the team.

"It has been difficult but we've got a good mixture of players now, so we can beef it up if we want to and we've got players who can play as well."

Whitton has his first home game back at the Brentwood Arena on Thursday night when his former club – and current Ryman League Division One North champions – Grays visit on Thursday night.

And he said: "It's an opportunity for the players we've got left to go into a match situation and play against a good side.

"They've won their last two games 10-0, I was there last year so I know what they're all about, they're a good, strong side, they won their last 15 games on the spin and deserve to be in the Premier on the back of that.

"They haven't changed much, so it's a good opportunity to see where we are at the moment. But we've still got another six or seven games left, so a defeat won't be the be all and end all – but it will give us the opportunity to improve on the things we need to improve on."

A £4.5 MILLION revamp of Brentwood's newest school is underway this summer holiday, in preparation for a large increase in pupil numbers.

Becket Keys CofE School, in Sawyers Hall Lane, will more than double in size when an extra 150 pupils join in September, adding to the existing 123 who will move up to Year 8.

In order to cater for the extra pupils, large parts of the school buildings are being revamped, and classrooms which have been unused for some time, are being reopened.

When it opened, the school was predominately based in the newest building on the site.

It is now taking over the entire former Margaret Hutton block, now known as the Carey Building, home to its current reception, with staff offices on the ground floor.

The majority of the work is taking place on the three upper storeys, where walls are been removed and offices taken out to provide larger classrooms, bright corridors and break-out spaces.

Head teacher of Essex's first CofE free school, Andy Scott-Evans, said: "Increased student numbers at Becket Keys mean a dramatic increase in the facilities that are required.

"Our new buildings will complement our already high quality extensive grounds and provide our students with excellent resources for learning."

"It has been a huge project and I am very proud of all that has been achieved. It is wonderful to see the school coming to life in these new buildings.

"I am looking forward to showing families round in September and October at our open days."

The money for the work, which totals £4.5m, is coming directly from the Education Funding Agency as part of the cash for free schools.

The refurbishment has seen new heating, lighting, electrics and ICT infrastructure, plus furnishings and decoration.

A new boiler house is being installed over the summer holiday, along with a lift tower for disabled access to the main hall.

New doors and carpets are being fitted and security is being upgraded in the form of a new perimeter wall and railings, digital CCTV and fire alarm systems.

Becket Keys opened in September last year.

A new year group of up to 150 pupils will be taken in each year until the Becket Keys School reaches its maximum capacity of 1,050 pupils.

The 25-acre site was previously home to Sawyers Hall College, which closed in August 2012.

AFTER a damning report examining its historically high death rates, Basildon Hospital has been placed under special measures and a programme of improvement has begun.

The hospital was one of 11 of the 14 investigated under the five-month Keogh Review – named after NHS Medical Director Sir Bruce Keogh – to be put under this condition.

It followed the unusually high mortality figures at the hospital where there were 3,186 deaths between April 2010 and April 2012.

Between October 2010 and October 2012, that amounted to 544 more deaths than expected.

The results of the Keogh Review were released on July 16.

The accompanying report said the trust had been too focused on financial targets and now needed to focus on safety and improving its bed management, patient flows, infection control, and to review staffing levels for nursing and medical staff.

The document stated that the trust had undergone significant leadership changes and that a transformation programme is under way. However, it added that there was more for the trust to do in ensuring good practices were in evidence across the organisation, all of the time.

Earlier this month the Gazette reported on the case of Terry Day, of Meadowland Road, Wickford, who died aged just 35, days before his wedding, on August 14, 2011, in Basildon Hospital.

An inquest on June 25 and 26 heard that Mr Day had been diagnosed with a low-grade brain tumour in July 2010, which was not taken into consideration when he was taken to A&E at Basildon Hospital after falling ill.

No neurological assessments were made and, although Mr Day was snoring loudly, his airways were not checked. He went into cardiac arrest when his tumour haemorrhaged, causing irreversible damage to his brain.

Clare Panniker, chief executive at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We welcome the feedback from the Keogh report.

"While it recognises a significant transformation programme is already under way here, we take very seriously the areas identified as needing urgent and further action, and are addressing them as a priority.

"We welcome the support we will receive from an external team and the partnership with another NHS organisation."

Basildon and Billericay MP John Baron said: "The report highlights historic failings at Basildon Hospital, and lessons need to be learnt for the benefit of future patients.

"This episode raises a host of questions, including why the regulatory system failed and what other patient care could have been provided if millions of pounds had not been paid out in clinical negligence cases.

"However, the hospital has recently overhauled its management. Under the leadership of Clare Panniker and Ian Luder the trust is addressing these legacy issues and they have my full support.

"We should also remember that many good things are taking place at the hospital. The report should not overshadow this."

GOLF: North Weald Golf Club is continuing to expand after proudly showing off their brand new club car buggy fleet. Along with this significant investment, course improvements have been made over the winter.

The green-keeping team have been working tirelessly for months to renovate more than 60 bunkers, bringing in nearly 300 tons of top-quality sand, ready for the summer, along with maintaining the course to top condition.

The company has also recently purchased state-of-the-art greens mowers, fairway and rough cutters bringing the total investment to more than £250,000. All staff at North Weald Golf Club are very proud of the improvements that have been made.

North Weald Golf Club prides itself on providing a full golfing experience.

Now, with the latest additions of new buggies, a Nevada Bob's pro shop and a custom fitting service to complement the 18-hole championship golf course, as well as a 22 bay floodlit driving range (complete with short game area), it really is the place to suit all the golfing needs found in the local community.

ANOTHER fast and furious weekend of racing helped Alexander Burford-Fuller further enhance his reputation as one of the finds of the season.

The 13-year-old from Hutton is shining in his first season in MSA events, currently sitting second in the Rye House Championship and leading the Club 2000 Championship at Red Lodge.

The Club 2000 Championship is turning into a very close fight between four drivers, and any lost points are vital in the overall standings.

Therefore the retirement of Burford-Fuller in the second race after being hit by another driver when he was attempting an overtaking manoeuvre was a big blow.

The move would have put him second – the same as in the other two heats – but instead it cost him pole and meant he had to settle for second on the grid.

Burford-Fuller immediately dropped a place after a sluggish start, and with the gap widening to 1.5 seconds over the initial few laps Burford-Fuller would have to settle for third. However, he showed all his battling qualities to close the gap and then take advantage of a mistake to seal second spot.

At Rye House the next day, hopes were high that Burford-Fuller could repeat his win of the previous month.

The highlight of the day was his breathtaking drive in the second qualifying heat. When starting 13th on the grid he powered his way through the field with controlled aggression to finish second.

The third qualifying heat was initially looking equally impressive when starting on pole as he majestically moved away from the field with a series of very fast lap times.

However, disaster struck on the sixth lap when, for no reason, his rear bumper snapped, forcing him to retire from the race.

Having come ninth in the first heat, this meant he started ninth on the grid.

But yet again disaster struck when he shed a chain at the end of the second lap, and had to retire.

Despite all his misfortune Burford-Fuller can take a lot from both meetings with impressive lap times, and many overtaking manoeuvres.

For sure there is never a dull moment when Burford-Fuller is on track, which makes him one of the most exciting drivers to watch in his class.

BRENTWOOD thrashed erstwhile leaders Chingford by ten wickets in the Shepherd Neame Essex Premier League, but the victory was overshadowed by a nasty blow Chingford captain Ben Macgregor took to the eye while batting.

Following the recent hot spell, there was little surprise that the Old County Ground wicket had plenty of bounce in it, ideally suited to Brentwood's tall pace attack. Max Osborne took immediate advantage, removing both opening batsmen for single-figure scores, including the in-form Daniel Lawrence.

However, it was then that a short ball from Tom Moore got a little extra bounce and managed to catch Macgregor in the eye, with an ambulance having to be immediately called. Fortunately, he returned to the ground later in the day with stitches but no permanent damage.

Following Macgregor's retirement, Moore managed to get among the wickets, with Australian Shaun Eaton fending off another brutish delivery, and then Nick Shawyer unfortunate to play on.

Billy Rhone then offered something of a fightback, with a battling unbeaten 33, but with Joe Buttleman getting wickets at the other end, the score was never going to be near enough to provide a challenging total.

Only a last-wicket stand between Rhone and Liam Lannen, including some lusty blows, got the total towards a batting point, but in the end falling just short.

Brentwood then showed what a flat wicket it was as they powered their way to the total with an unbeaten opening stand of 117, although they did ride their luck with a catch or two going down.

The win leaves Brentwood 23 points off the top of the table and an even closer bunched up league. They face second-placed South Woodford on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Brentwood Buccaneers moved into the Dukes Essex T20 finals day for the fourth consecutive year with a marginal 11-run win over Colchester on a wicket where spin ruled the roost.

The win takes the Buccaneers through to the finals day at Billericay on Sunday, July 28, where the side from Brentwood will be looking to make it three wins in three years.

The Buccaneers will originally take on Ardleigh Green at 11am, with the winners of that moving to the final later in the afternoon.

COLOURFUL horticultural displays and delightful dancing were the order of the day at the Ingrave Flower Festival on Saturday.

The event, held at Ingrave Johnstone Primary School, in Brentwood Road, featured dancing from the Pirouette School of Dance.

The long-running dance school, owned by Tina Clark, of Brook Road, Brentwood, staged four performances.

The 35-year-old qualified dance teacher said: "It was a really good day – we did four performances including a dance by children aged from three and up right up to the seniors who performed a lyrical dance.

"It was very well received and we were even asked if we would like to come back for the next flower show in autumn."

The dance school has classes based in Herongate, Ingatestone and Blackheath in London and has been run by Mrs Clark for the past 14 years.

Sarah Parish, a member of the Flower Show Committee, said: "It was brilliant and the weather was lovely which really helped."

The 42-year-old, who lives in Common Road, Ingrave, continued: "The dancers brought along a lot of parents and children which is always good and the displays were lovely.

"I particularly liked the garden displays, it always amazes me what sorts of things people will grow, there were even round yellow courgettes."

THE leader of Brentwood Borough Council has been accused of dressing up a Conservative party plan to build a new car park in Shenfield as official council policy – although she claims her opponents just don't get the facts.

As previously reported in the Gazette on July 3, Louise McKinlay wants to build the 110-space "park-and-stride" facility on a seven-hectare "council-owned" site in Alexander Lane in a bid to mitigate the impact the arrival of Crossrail will have on residents and traders.

However, opposition councillors described her approach as "confusing" and "absolutely ridiculous," while the authority's managing director Alison Crowe attempted to distance herself from Mrs McKinlay's proposal.

The row erupted after Liberal Democrat members queried whether the council actually owns the seven hectare site in question.

At a council meeting at the Town Hall on July 10, Ms Crowe said of Mrs McKinlay's words in the Gazette: "It was a political statement so it wasn't put out by the borough council."

Liberal Democrat opposition group leader Barry Aspinell took issue with this, saying that most people would assume Mrs McKinlay's comments were being made on behalf of the council.

In reply, Ms Crowe said: "We didn't issue a statement as the council."

Mrs McKinlay, who represents Hutton North, provided the Gazette with a map of the "council-owned" site to illustrate our previous story – a document sent to her by the authority's senior policy planner Phil Drane.

She has since repeatedly insisted that the authority does own some land in Alexander Lane – yet Liberal Democrat borough councillor Graeme Clark is confused.

Mr Clark, who represents Shenfield, said: "I contacted Jen Candler, who is the head of planning, and she said 'No, the council doesn't own the land'.

As the Gazette went to press, he obtained a new map from the council, which shows that the authority does own land in Alexander Lane – but on the opposite side of the road.

Alongside Mr Aspinell and other councillors, Mr Clark was part of a cross-party Crossrail working group which was set up to identify suitable sites for a new car park.

He says that during this process, he was told that the area shown on the map provided by the council was "in private hands".

Mr Clark added that he has now asked the authority to confirm what land it owns in the vicinity of Alexander Lane and whether it has any property which borders the street.

As for the claim that the park-and-stride proposal was not a council one, he said: "I find it impossible to understand how the leader of the council can give information to the paper as a 'political statement' when she is using council materials, speaking in her council office and using her council title.

"This is confusing everybody."

Mr Aspinell, who represents Pilgrims Hatch, claimed that at a meeting of the Crossrail working group he had been shown a Land Registry document which "clearly states that the site in Alexander Lane is in the ownership of three different individuals".

Mrs McKinlay said: "I'm really not interested in political posturing from the Lib Dems, which is both predictable and disappointing.

"The fact of the matter is that Crossrail is coming to Shenfield and we need to prepare for it.

"There will be an impact in the short and long term and during the construction phase. Parking is just one area that needs addressing.

"The proposals are designed to ensure that Shenfield residents and businesses are protected and that we get the best out of the scheme.

"We'll continue to consult on the details over the summer and have had a very favourable response so far to both the park-and-stride and free parking plans in Hunter Avenue and Friars Avenue car parks.

"To be clear, despite opposition claims to the contrary, the council does own land down Alexander Lane that could be used but is also looking at other sections of land down there.

"No decision on the exact location has been made yet and won't be until we've heard from local people.

"However, this is part of the Local Development Plan process so ownership is irrelevant anyway.

"The opposition know this and have been involved in discussions. What is confusing and baffling is why they are now adopting a different stance publicly.

"As ward members, they should be putting efforts in to making plans work for Shenfield, not playing party politics."

The site identified by the council is adjacent to a playing field owned by Shenfield High School.

Head teacher Carole Herman told the Gazette she understood that the site was beyond the boundary of the school's play area.

However, she added: "We were concerned after reading your first article because we hadn't had any contact from Louise McKinlay or anyone the council.

"We want to work closely with anybody who has plans for that area because we want it to be to the community's advantage and we want to be involved in any discussions in case there is an impact on our school."

The Gazette asked the council to provide a copy of the Land Registry document referred to by Mr Aspinell, but a spokesman told us our request would need to be dealt with under the Freedom of Information Act.

Under this legislation, the authority has 20 working days to respond and, in this instance, we are due a reply by August 2.

CHELMSFORD Chieftains' fixtures for the 2013-14 season have been unveiled. Plans are afoot for a couple of pre-season games in September but otherwise it all faces off on September 14 with a late-summer trip to the Isle of Wight to play last season's league and play-off runners up the Wightlink Raiders. The Essex side's first home game is the September 22 when the Milton Keynes Thunder roll into town.

Below are the fixtures up until March 2014.

Sat Sept 14 Wightlink Raiders (A)

Sun Sept 15 Invicta Dynamos (A)

Sat Sept 21 Cardiff ENL Devils (A)

Sun Sept 22 MK Thunder (H)

Sat Sept 28 Solent Devils (A)

Sun Sept 29 Bracknell Hornets (H)

Sat Oct 5 Cardiff ENL Devils (H)

Sun Oct 6 Invicta Dynamos (A)

Sat Oct 12 Wightlink Raiders (A)

Sun Oct 13 London Raiders (H)

Sat Oct 19 Bracknell Hornets (A)

Sat Oct 20 Solent Devils (H)

Sat Oct 26 Streatham Redskins (A)

Sun Oct 27 Invicta Dynamos (H)

Sat Nov 2 MK Thunder (A)

Sun Nov 3 Wightlink Raiders (H)

Sun Nov 10 Streatham Redskins (H)

Sun Nov 17 London Raiders (A)

Sat Nov 23 MK Thunder (A)

Sun Nov 24 MK Thunder (H)

Sat Nov 30 Streatham Redskins (A)

Sun Dec 1 Wightlink Raiders (H)

Sun Dec 8 London Raiders (H)

Sat Dec 21 Streatham Redskins (A)

Sun Dec 22 MK Thunder (H)

Sat Dec 28 Solent Devils (H)

Sun Dec 29 Solent Devils (A)

Sun Jan 12 Invicta Dynamos (H)

Sat Jan 18 Wightlink Raiders (A)

Sun Jan 19 Solent Devils (A)

Sat Jan 25 Cardiff ENL Devils (H)

Sun Jan 26 Bracknell Hornets (H)

Sun Feb 2 Streatham Redskins (H)

Sat Feb 8 Bracknell Hornets (A)

Sun Feb 9 Wightlink Raiders (H)

Sun Feb 16 Invicta Dynamos (A)

Sun Feb 23 Solent Devils (H)

Sat Mar 1 NIHL1 Cup semi-finals

Sun Mar 2 NIHL1 Cup semi-finals

A WOMAN who abandoned four cats for more than a month in squalid conditions until they starved to death has pleaded guilty to neglect. Toni Wilson, 37, admitted three counts of causing animal suffering after leaving two tabby kittens, a black kitten and one adult tabby cat to fend for themselves in her Tapestry Walk home in Braintree.

A neighbour raised concerns over the wellbeing of the animals, as well as their owner, in December last year as Wilson had not been seen at the property for five weeks.

Flies were seen at the windows and an "unpleasant smell" was coming from inside.

The RSPCA asked police to attend in order to gain entry to the house and find out what was inside.

Officers at the scene described it as "disgusting", with piles of paper, clothes, rotting food bags and animal faeces so thick they were unable to see the carpet.

Experts then tested the dead cats and found they had all starved to death three weeks previously, probably at the end of November.

At Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, Stuart Cooper, prosecuting, said: "This must be considered long-term neglect as all four animals died.

"Previously she had asked her mother to take care of the animals, but on this occasion the defendant misled her mother, saying she had already made arrangements to re-house them, even though no such arrangements were made. She cannot explain why she did this."

Andrew Andrews, mitigating, said: "The defendant did come forward voluntarily to cooperate and accepted she had abandoned the property. She is extremely upset that she is responsible for the death of these animals and it is something she will have to live with for the rest of her life."

The mother-of-two suffers from diabetes and required hospital treatment during the period leading up to the deaths, the court heard.

Ms Wilson had then stayed at her mother's house during her recovery and not returned to Tapestry Walk until the cats were already dead.

"Depression can come with diabetes and the defendant has suffered from diabetes for some time," said Mr Andrews.

"Her grandmother passed away in June 2012 and her mother had been diagnosed with cancer at the same time as having this quite life threatening condition.

"As a result of being away from home trying to recover she was living in a bubble. She had the cats at the back of her mind.

"When she realised what happened it was deeply shocking to her. When she went to the property and noticed the dead animals she went into a state of shock and just closed the door and left it."

Ms Wilson, an admin assistant, was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and told to pay £750 costs to the RSPCA.

An RSPCA spokesman said: "There is no excuse at all for allowing cats to suffer like this and to allow conditions like this to continue."

PAUL GRAYSON has tipped in-form batsman Jaik Mickleburgh to push for England Lions selection this winter after his career-best innings last week.

The 23-year-old hit a brilliant 243 as Essex trounced Leicestershire by an innings at Chelmsford, one of three career-best performances for the home side in that game.

Ben Foakes made 120 for his maiden Championship century, while Greg Smith's 5-42 spun Essex to victory.

Mickleburgh's upturn in form started when he scored 90 and 58 in the LV> Challenge match against England at Chelmsford.

Foakes – himself an England Lion from the winter – did 12th man duties for England in the first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge, and Grayson revealed the wicket-keeper and Mickleburgh will be with the England squad for the third Test at Old Trafford next week.

"That's going to give them both an opportunity to work with Graham [Gooch] and sample the big atmosphere of the Test match and be around the place.

"They are both excellent team players, good lads, good fielders, which is the main reason why they're going up.

"But I think the runs Jaik got in that England game impressed everyone, not just at Essex but in the England setup who watched that match, the likes of Andy Flower, Graham Thorpe and Goochie.

"He's certainly on their radar, not for Test cricket but if he finishes the season strongly then there could maybe be opportunities for him to go on tour with the Lions this winter or a performance squad.

"Jaik's played really well in the last couple of weeks.

"Technically, Jaik's probably the best player we've got in the club.

"He's the first to admit that he's never scored the runs he would have liked to have done, but he has shown everyone that he's got the ability to go on and get matchwinning scores."

Things are looking up for Essex at the moment, and they head to the Ageas Bowl tomorrow night (Friday) for a Friends Life t20 clash with holders Hampshire Royals knowing that a win will almost certainly book them a quarter-final spot.

That follows three wins in a row, including a convincing success at Sussex on Sunday thanks to an "absolute exhibition" of batting from Hamish Rutherford, who smacked 88 from 43 balls to make short work of the Eagles' target.

And Grayson added: "It's been a good couple of weeks. We've played some good cricket both in the Championship and in the T20, winning three on the spin.

"We've given ourselves a good opportunity to go through in Twenty20 now, I think one more win will probably get us through, and we'll certainly try and win those last two matches.

"The spirit's good in the camp, confidence is very high, we've found a nice method to our T20 cricket, I've been really pleased with some individual performances but more importantly how the team's played.

"I think Hamish has been a terrific signing for us in Twenty20 cricket, he's got us off to a flying start every time.

"Of all the batting powerplays we've had, we've won 90 per cent of them, we lost that one to Middlesex, but all the others we've won, we've got off to brilliant starts. It was an absolute exhibition on Sunday, as a ball striker, talent-wise, he's as good as anyone around."

A ROMFORD man has been found guilty of raping and assaulting a vulnerable young woman.

Nabeel Ahmed, a 24-year-old mechanic of Chadwell Heath Lane, targeted the woman, who was 18 at the time, when he saw her distressed following an argument with a friend in the street.

He followed her in his car and offered her a lift to Chadwell Heath Railway Station.

However, he instead took her to go and pick up his friend Naeem Ahmed, a 25-year-old car salesman of Westminster Gardens, Barking.

The victim wanted to go to a friend's home to stay the night but they took her to another address in Ilford.

There she was introduced to Hassan Raza, 23, a caterer of Westminster Gardens, Barking.

Eventually the victim was left to sleep in a bedroom but in the early hours of the next morning Naeem Ahmed and Nabeel Ahmed raped her.

When they left, Raza came in and pretended to feel sorry for the woman before sexually assaulting her.

When the victim was finally able to leave, she reported the matter to the Metropolitan Police.

Officers subsequently began an investigation and worked with her to identify the men, whom she did not know by their real names.

Subsequently, detectives from the forces' Trafficking and Prostitution Unit arrested the men on December 13, 2012.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Sumner said: "Nabeel Ahmed saw a woman who was vulnerable.

"He befriended her, took her to his friends and they sexually abused her.

"Reliving and giving evidence about rape is a difficult and emotionally draining experience for any victim, so those who have the bravery report it and provide evidence should be commended.

"I urge all victims of rape to report the matter to police, who have specially trained officers ready to provide them with the sensitive support that they need."

At Snaresbrook Crown Court in London on Friday, Naeem Ahmed was found guilty of three counts of rape and found not guilty of two counts of rape; controlling a child prostitute; paying for the sexual services of a child; inciting child prostitution; and causing or inciting prostitution.

Nabeel Ahmed was found guilty of one count of rape and found not guilty of two counts of rape.

Anas Mir Iqbal, 25, a car salesman of Newham Way, East London, was found not guilty of paying for the sexual service of a child and one count of rape.

Hassan Raza was found guilty of one count of sexual assault.

Jameel Ahmed, 25, unemployed of Neville Road, Dagenham, was found not guilty of two counts of rape.

The men will be sentenced in September.

PARAMEDICS are sending out a stark sun-related warning to Essex and beyond after they rushed to more than 25 people suffering from the heat last week.

Since Monday the East of England Ambulance Service has aided people collapsing in the sun, those with severe sunburn and some with heat exhaustion.

Ambulance bosses are advising the public to ring 111 or go to a GP – simply for advice – as opposed to ringing for an emergency.

"A heatwave is obviously a good thing for us to enjoy, but as an ambulance service we have to prepare for some of the consequences it can have for our operations," said ambulance boss Oskan Edwardson, associate director of special operations

"We are asking the public to think twice about dialling 999 for an ambulance when they get sunburn or are suffering the effects of the heat."

Symptoms in the sun can include: headaches, nausea, intense thirst, lethargy, hot red and dry skin, a sudden temperature rise, confusion, aggression, convulsions and a loss of consciousness.

The main cause of heat-related death are respiratory and cardiovascular diseases

CHELMSFORD-BORN Ian Stannard (Sky Procycling) became the first rider from Essex to finish the world's biggest – and toughest – annual sporting event when he crossed the finishing line of the 100th anniversary edition of the Tour de France on the Champs-Elysees in Paris late on Sunday evening.

Not only was the youngster fulfilling the lifelong dream of every pro rider by taking part in and finishing La Grande Boucle but he'd also played a key part in helping his team leader Chris Froome to his first Grand Tour win, which was Sky's second successive Tour victory after Sir Bradley Wiggins became the first Briton to do it in 2012.

For Stannard – who is usually known as a specialist in the one-day Classics – to finish an event as arduous as the Tour de France paid back for all the hours he and his team-mates had put in training. They had started planning their assault on the Tour in November and December 2012 and practised in Tenerife.

The final 133kms from Versailles into a dusk finish in Paris, traditionally a parade stage until the riders hit the Champs-Elysees for the first time when the racing really kicks off.

But as it was the 100th edition of the race the organisers had done everything possible to make this year's finish all the more spectacular, including the closing laps going round the Arc de Triomphe for the first time.

For Sky and Froome though it wouldn't be a safe win until they'd crossed the finishing line and this they did – linked arm in arm – just under a minute after German sprinter Marcel Kittel had taken his first Parisian win.

Shortly after crossing the finishing line, Ian said: "This is great.

"The sun is setting, we've won the Tour de France and we've got the yellow jersey. It's pretty awesome.

"The Tour is massively stressful and I'm quite thankful it's all over to be honest.

"I can sit back and enjoy it now a bit and I'm looking forward to doing that with my team-mates and a few beers."

And racing on the Champs-Elysees?

"It was really nice. The last time around the Champs-Elysees is a real treat with all the sprinters on the final stage.

"It's pretty special for them to win so it's as hard to stay in position and to look after Chris than it is in the Alps."

Of the 169 riders who finished the race out of 198 starters, Stannard finished in 135th place. He was tired and looking forward to a well-earned break away from all the stress. His last three weeks were intensive but the training and commitment that got him to the race in the first place also took their toll.

CHELMSFORD Athletics Club is celebrating another fantastic success for one of its young female athletes after Hayley McLean won gold at the European Junior Championships.

The 18-year-old was one of the favourites for the title in Rieti, Italy, and lived up to that billing with a personal best of 57.26secs.

She attacked the first 200m more than she did in the previous rounds, and her strength saw her home in the final stages.

And she said: "I'm very emotional, especially when I've worked all season to come here and get a gold medal.

"It's what I've dreamed of since I was about 12.

"I went to the World Youths two years ago and wasn't very successful, finishing sixth, so to come here and actually win is a dream come true.

"I'm doubly happy – to come away with a personal best means that I couldn't have run any harder, so I'm thrilled."

McLean's team-mate, 800m runner Jess Judd – who has been called up to the senior party for the World Championships in Moscow – next month, pulled out of the event due to injury.

CHELMSFORD CITY manager Dean Holdsworth is continuing to look at bolstering his squad after tasting victory for the first time by beating his former club Redbridge.

The Clarets – who are without a friendly clash this week – overcame the Ryman Division One North side 4-3 thanks to a late winner from trialist Jordan Holdsworth, son of the manager.

Mark Haines, Danny Webb and Keiron St Aimee were also on target for the Clarets, and Holdsworth senior was happy with the workout.

"It was nice to go back and say a belated thanks to Redbridge for my time there because I've not been back since the play-off final," he said.

"It was a good workout for us on what was a very, very difficult pitch.

"There's lots of stuff we can get better at so we'll get busy with the detail after another useful 90 minutes.

"I'm delighted with the signings we've made this week and will look to extend our squad wherever I can.

"I was so pleased for Jordan because he's had a really tough 15 months or so.

"He's battled back from illness and the manner of his departure from Aldershot was disappointing.

"He was a bit of a surprise addition to the squad but he's scored the winner and things are really looking up for him.

"He could be an asset for us."

Braintree boss Alan Devonshire was less satisfied with his side, though, as they were beaten 4-1 at home to League One side Colchester United.

Sean Marks was on target for the Iron, but they were already 3-0 down by then after a clinical performance from the U's, which saw Devonshire's men beaten for the first time in pre-season.

"In many ways you learn a lot more from a game like that," Devonshire said.

"We were poor first half, but did better after the break.

"It puts our feet firmly back on the ground and reminds us that we've still got a lot of work to do."

The Iron hosted a West Ham XI last (Wednesday) night.

Witham Town's pre-season has been hindered by a poor surface at their Spa Road stadium.

They had been beaten 3-1 by East Thurrock United on Saturday, before Tuesday night's game with Canvey Island was called off at half-time.

The visitors decided not to play the second period of the game after losing three players to injury.

Canvey boss Danny Heale said: "I'd heard through the grapevine before we got here that the pitch wasn't up to. I spoke to Garry Kimble about it and he said it wasn't the best but it was playable.

"We got here and thought it didn't look too bad, but it is bobbly.

"We've made the decision to call it off, and Garry Kimble has apologised to us.

"They're all right about it, but I've got to look after our team. I couldn't risk losing anyone else in the second 45 minutes."

Elsewhere, Burnham Ramblers won 1-0 at FC Clacton, Maldon & Tiptree recorded three wins in the week by beating Barking 4-1, Brightlingsea Regency 6-1 and Enfield 3-2, while Heybridge Swifts won a heated clash with Ryman South side Merstham, with Luke Callander – last season's top-scorer – netting twice.

HUNDREDS of competitors run, swam and cycled a total of more than 50km at the annual Maldon Triathlon, held at the Promenade Park on Sunday.

A mix of those doing it for charity and those doing it for sporting glory took part and the park was covered with hundreds of spectators.

The event, organised by Dengie Events, offered athletes either Olympic or sprint distances and this year it played host to the Triathlon England Eastern Region Junior Championship.

Olympic-distance competitors swum 1.5km in the River Blackwater, cycled 45km and ran 10k.

Sprint distances were shorter, swimming 750m, cycling 28km and running 5km.

Dede Singh, 49, of Ilford, spoke to the Chronicle before he set off.

"I have been doing triathlons since 1995 so you could say I am a seasoned triathlete, but whether that means I am any good is debatable," he joked.

"I do them for the fitness and the challenge – they are really good fun and addictive."

Speaking as the race start time of 11am fast-approached James Swift, 30, and Hethin Davis, 33, both of East London Triathletes, were raring to go.

Swift said: "I have been doing triathlons for three years – we do them for the challenge, because we like doing crazy things."

Mr Davis, of Leyton, explained he wasn't as experienced as his team-mate.

He said: "This is only my second triathlon and I have never done open water swimming before. I can only hope I don't swallow too much salt water. We do them because were probably a little bit mad."

Some people decided to split the load between three team members, each specialising in either running, swimming or cycling.

One such team, a band from Chelmsford, were competing for both Mencap and Great Ormond Street Hospital charities.

Caroline Flavill, 24, of Howe Street, took on the running. She said: "I haven't ever done a triathlon before. I am looking forward to it but I am nervous."

Fellow team member Max Lewis, 22, was a last-minute replacement. He said: "My brother was supposed to be doing it and then I found out last week he wouldn't be able to make it.

"I will be doing the swimming and I haven't really been able to prepare for it, but it should be fun."

The final piece in the jigsaw is the 6ft-plus Matt Wilkinson, 25, of Wear Drive, who was taking on the cycling.

He said: "Chris Froome may also be tall but there is less of him. But I am sort of looking forward to it."

Pete Dyson crossed the line first in the sprint event, in a time of 1 hour 16 minutes and 34 seconds, ahead of Arran Rae (1:21:58) and James Kidd (1:23:30).

And in the Olympic event, Adrian Berry (2:18:46) beat Simon Lashmar by just nine seconds to win the event, with Richard Greaves (2:21:29) in third.