Two women have escaped with a police caution for trying to shoplift £100 in clothes and accessories from TK Maxx in Chelmsford. 

The 25-year-old and 31-year-old, both from Harlow, were spotted by staff trying to make off from the Chelmer Village Retail Park store with jeans and a handbag shortly before 1.30pm yesterday (June 28).

Police were called and three cars could be seen speeding into the park off Chelmer Village Way minutes later. 

A police spokesman said: "Officers attended and arrested two women inside aged 25 to 31 years old from Harlow. 

"They were later both issued with police cautions for theft."

About 4,500 people danced their way around the The Fling Festival yesterday (June 28), the biggest yet and the first to be hosted at Hylands Park in Chelmsford. 

For all the pictures, click here.

The Chelmsford City Council-organised event, having considerably outgrown its first year in Bell Meadow in 2008, offered various dance tents, cabaret shows and the more bizarre exhibitions such as clay making. 

"This is the biggest yet," said council cultural events manager Liam Rich. 

"It is less intimate this year but I think we've pulled it off." 

The event, which followed three days of the 3foot People Festival at the park for zero to five year olds, necessitated a team of some 50 staff overlooking 148 different activities. 

Speaking to the Chronicle festival-goer Rhys Darg, 25, of Great Baddow, pictured making hats with sister Megan Darg and Leanne Shirley, said: "We have been comparing it to other big festivals we have been to and this is much better, much more intimate." 

Elaine Tribley of The Hive Artist Studios, manning the Clay Nation tent at the festival, said revellers had made at least 500 clay models at her stall. 

While many had made clay animals and miniature people, some chose to make phallic shaped objects. Elaine said: "The mayor came around and I said 'there might be...' and he said 'rude ones?'

Dancer Louie Spence walked away with a giant loaf of bread from The Fling Festival in Chelmsford yesterday (June 28). 

The Pineapple Dance Studios director joined thousands in Hylands Park because he was invited by his friends from Chelmsford café and festival attraction acanteen. 

Speaking to the Chronicle with sister Kelly East the 45-year-old showed off the loaf of bread he picked out from the café's festival tent. 

"It would be for my cheese on toast but I can't use it for that, it's too posh, I can't even spell this type of bread, too many Ps in it," said Spence, who lives in Essex. 

The choreographer, who appeared in Celebrity Big Brother last year, added: "I came mainly because a friend invited us, I didn't even know it existed. 

"It's been fun. I thought it's nice, everyone looks like they are having a really good time right through from the afternoon to the evening. 

"It's a very friendly atmosphere which is nice rather than a lot of people just being drunk, aggressive and abusive."

A city banker handed a penalty fine for taking his children out of school for a memorial service will fight the case in court.

James Haymore, of Chelmsford, took Toby, 11, Brayden, eight, and Ellie, five, out of Chancellor Park Primary School in Chelmer Village to travel to California in the spring term.

They were reportedly attending  a memorial service for his wife Dana's grandfather.

The Sunday Times today (June 29) report that, regardless, the JP Morgan banker was summonsed to Colchester Magistrates' Court for refusing to pay the £120 penalty.

Speaking to the national newspaper he said he believed his human rights had been breached.

Education secretary Michael Gove tightened the rules on school absences last September, while Essex County Council sent letters to headteachers reminding them absences could not be authorised unless in exceptional circumstances.

The story echoes some similarities with the case of single mother Lynn Black, of Chelmsford, who planned to accept a penalty fine to take her daughter out of Newlands Spring Primary School next month.

'There's a question here as to whether Michael Gove's judgment about when all children should always take holidays is better than a family's judgment," Mr Haymore reportedly told the Sunday Times.

'We are good people. I've never even been to court before. I just hope our speaking out and challenging the system will help to change it."

John Hemming, a Liberal Democrat MP who has fought to open up the family courts, is apparently advising the family. 

He said the challenge was "the test case we have been waiting for and we are very hopeful of winning."

Mr Haymore is expected to appear in court next month.

A PUBLIC inquiry will be held into Braintree District Council's decision to reject planning permission for a new Sainsbury's superstore.

Plans for the new 19,000sq ft shop with a 500 space car park, 42 bike spaces, a click and collect point, a bakery and a delicatessen were first submitted in August 2012.

Around 400 new jobs were proposed for the Broomhills Industrial Estate site in Pods Way, but the application was rejected at a planning meeting in November last year after months of legal wrangling.

Initially a decision was due in July last year, but the item was pulled from the council agenda after Sainsbury's questioned planning consultants GVA's recommendations, which said the impact on the town centre was overstated.

A 2,000 signature petition in support of the new superstore was submitted to the council last year, but 217 documents that relate to the case shows that some businesses in the town centre object to the out-of-town development.

One of the reasons listed by Braintree Council for the initial refusal was that Sainsbury's proposals failed to meet with the requirements of the authority's core strategy which states that "the council will promote and secure the highest possible standards of design and layout in all new development" and will aim to "create good quality built environments in commercial and business districts and in the public realm as well as in residential areas".

Another reason given was that "an appropriate section 106 agreement or unilateral undertaking has not been completed by the application to provide appropriate mitigation in respect of highway safety, public transport improvements and public art".

The deal with Sainsbury's, proposed through a section 106 agreement with the council, would have seen donations of £120,000 made to Braintree Museum, £86,500 to the Portas Pilot Scheme, £75,000 to help independent shops and £40,000 to refurbish the statue of John Ray. The supermarket firm say the package offered to the council remains on the table though.

A spokesman for Sainsbury's said: "As an anchor in the town centre for over 30 years, we remain committed to the comprehensive package of town centre improvement initiatives that permission for a new store would enable."

CHELMSFORD MP Simon Burns is backing a 20mph speed limit campaign along a popular but "dangerous" residential cut-through.

The Admirals Park Residents' Association believes impatient motorists are driving along Park Avenue and Swiss Avenue, to bypass the Rainsford Road junction, at speeds of up to 50mph.

The MP, who has written directly to the highways authority Essex County Council, said: "The roads in question are busy, used as a shortcut and are used by children, families, cyclists and the elderly.

"Cyclists are worried about the volume of traffic and have started to use the pavements, which is causing congestion and increases the risk of accidents.

"The local community has put forward a strong and well-supported case for the lowering of the speed limit and I hope that careful consideration will be given to the request which they are making."

The campaign, now nearly a year old, wants the speed limit dropped down to 20mph for about 90 per cent of the school-route stretch.

First, however, the residents will conduct their own speed watch operation to prove their claims and strengthen their case.

The decision would eventually be taken by cabinet member for highways and transportation Rodney Bass.

"These roads are crazy to be honest, it's just reckless," said 40-year-old father-of-three Matt Woodyatt.

"There is excessive speeding, dangerous driving, quite a lot of damage caused to vehicles and only weeks ago we had a car on its side in the middle of the road when he went too fast.

"We've had quite a few accidents. A lady was knocked off from her bike and we've had multiple animal deaths.

"The abuse you have to witness is such to the extent that people are driving at each other."

The group's petition boasts 100 signatures and further backing from Chelmsford City Council members Jude Deakin and Chris Fegan.

Mr Fegan said: "That road has absolutely become a rat run so I think it needs sorting out.

"It's been a cause for a problem for many years and the residents' lives have been made extremely difficult."

Residents on the Chignal estate successfully campaigned for a 20mph speed limit to be introduced in 2008.

A COMMUNITY radio station that gets people with disabilities on the airwaves has become the 300th member of Chelmsford Star Co-operative's Community Support Card Scheme.

This occasion was marked at the start of Co-operative Fortnight when Chelmsford Community Radio Station were presented with their membership by MP Simon Burns at the society's quadrant department store in Chelmsford.

The volunteer-run community radio station launched in early January and operates 70 hours a week from Moulsham Mill in Chelmsford, encouraging many to become resident DJs, including those with disabilities.

It currently broadcasts through the web, and with more than 1,800 listeners, is planning to apply for a FM licence.

Hal MacLean, station director, said: "We are delighted to join this great fundraising initiative by our local Co-operative Society, Chelmsford Star. Not only will it help us raise funds but it will be the start of a great partnership between the two parties to develop our support in the community strategies."

The society plans to support community events during the Fortnight including the Melbourne Park cycling event and the 3foot People Festival this week.

The card scheme started 15 years ago as a simple way to assist community groups to raise funds. Groups receive cards bearing their name and every time the card is swiped following purchases in Chelmsford Star stores, they receive points.

Points are then turned into cash with a 50 per cent extra bonus added by the society.

There are no incidents on the road or railways to report as of 7.23am. 

7.23am: Traffic is however busy on the M11 southbound in the Loughton area between junction five with the A1168 and junction four with the A406. 

Traffic is also queuing back, as per usual, on the M25 clockwise at QE2 Bridge.

7.40am: Traffic is slow moving southbound between the Boreham Interchange and White Hart Lane in Chelmsford.

Likewise traffic is slow moving nearby on the A12 southbound between junction 19 and junction 18 at Sandon.

7.42am: Traffic is slow moving southbound in Braintree between Marks Farm Roundabout and Galley's Roundabout.

8.46am: Any remnants left from a two-vehicle crash on the London-bound carriageway of the A12 by the Boreham Interchange in Chelmsford have been cleared. The carriageway was initially blocked.

Meanwhile traffic is slow travelling northbound in Chelmsford between Robjohns Road and Writtle Road in Westway.

In Brentwood Shenfield Road is busy moving westbound near the A128 Ongar Road junction.

The funeral for murdered Colchester man James Attfield will take place today (June 30), three months after his death. 

Essex Police Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Worron said this morning: "This is going to be an extremely difficult day for his family and I would like to thank them for all the help they have given us as we continue to investigate his death. 

"They have my assurance that we are committed to finding out the person or people responsible for his murder and we are doing everything we can to bring them to justice."

James, 33, was found seriously injured with more than 100 stab wounds in Castle Park, off Guildford Road, shortly before 6am on Saturday, March 29. 

He died a short time later at the scene. 

Crimestoppers is offering a £10,000 reward for information which leads to a suspect's arrest and conviction. 

Similarly, the charity is offering a £10,000 reward for any such information regarding the murder of University of Essex student Nahid Almanea. 

Det Chief Supt Worron also this morning reissued an appeal for information regarding the latest attack which is believed to have happened on Tuesday morning, June 17. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact 01245 282103 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police have issued CCTV footage of four young men they want to speak to in connection with an attempted burglary in Chelmsford.

Shortly after 2.30pm on Wednesday, March 26, a group of men entered a residential garage in Goldenacres, north Springfield, but were confronted by the homeowner, causing them to run off.

Investigating officer Pc Chris Leavett said: "We have just obtained some CCTV footage and one frame shows four teenagers or young men walking towards the house before the crime. 

"We would like to know who they are."

Anyone who knows the identities of the young men pictured on the CCTV is urged to contact the Neighbourhood Crime Team at Chelmsford police station on 101. 

A female Essex Police officer was punched in the face while she tried to break up a fight outside a bridal shop in Colchester.

The victim was on routine patrol with another officer in Queen Street at around 3.30am on Sunday (June 29), when they saw the commotion.

It was while the officers were making an arrest that she was hit in the face. She was taken to Colchester General Hospital by paramedics and is now recovering at home.

A 28-year-old man of no fixed address and a 29-year-old man from Colchester were arrested in connection with the fight and have been released on bail until Tuesday, August 12 pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information in connection with the assault should contact the town's neighbourhood policing team on 101.

The senior coroner for Essex has been given an official warning of misconduct for allegedly delaying an inquest. 

The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) also found Caroline Beasley-Murray failed to keep 'interested parties', which include a deceased person's loved ones and witnesses, notified about a case. 

It found Mrs Beasley-Murray delayed the inquest of Edward Gillespie, 38, of Rosslyn Crescent, Luton. 

Mr Gillespie's body was recovered from water at Roydon Marina Village, Harlow, on January 26, 2013, after he went missing from an office Christmas party a month earlier. 

The JCIO declined to explain how or why it thinks Mrs Beasley-Murray delayed the inquest. 

An Essex County Council spokesman, on behalf of the coroner's office, however said the limited availability of expert reports was causing the delay. 

The family who initially submitted the complaint has since withdrawn it. 

The spokesman said: "Inquests are an emotional and sensitive time and we seek to minimise any delays that may occur. 

 "In this instance the availability of expert reports resulted in a delay in the conclusion of the inquest.

"The HM Senior Coroner for Essex has since spoken to the family, the inquest has been successfully concluded and the family had requested that the complaint was withdrawn.

"Together Essex County Council and the HM Senior Coroner for Essex have worked hard to improve the timeliness of inquests, which has been helped by the new court complex in December."

The spokesman also denied that Mrs Beasley-Murray had been placed on restricted duties. Deputy assistant coroner Eleanor McGann has been taking inquests over the last few months.

A coroner is responsible for establishing how a person has died. 

In this case Mrs Beasley-Murray ruled Mr Gillespie died as a result of an "accident".

Essex County Council could write off the £50,000 it says former leader Lord Hanningfield owes them.

The council's audit committee made the recommendation this morning, after concluding "the costs of pursuing this case would be significant, with uncertain chances of success".

Lord Hanningfield denies he owes any money to the authority.

Councillor Susan Barker, chairman of the Audit Committee, said: "The committee has today considered a report from the director of corporate law and assurance providing an update on Lord Hanningfield's expenses. 

"The director reminded us of the background that led to this matter coming before us and highlighted the wide range of improvements to governance that have been made over recent years. 

"The director indicated that in considering the question of whether the council should pursue Lord Hanningfield for the return of any monies that may be due, the committee would be asked to take into account the advice of leading counsel which, if the committee agreed, would be taken in private session.

"We considered carefully whether we should hear the advice in public or in private but decided that, on this occasion, we should hear the advice in private because it related to possible legal action. 

" Miss Osborne gave the committee a detailed explanation of the legal risks and issues associated with the possible legal action. 

"Miss Osborne advised that, in Counsel's view, with which she concurred, the costs of pursuing this case would be significant, with uncertain chances of success.

"She advised that in addition to the significant cost, the council would also have to invest further considerable officer time trying to prepare for and pursue the case, with unlikely prospects of success. 

" It is with huge regret that, having taken account of the legal advice and the advice of our external auditors, we feel we have no alternative but to recommend that no further action be taken in this matter. 

"The decision is for Councillor David Finch, the leader of the council, but that is our recommendation. 

"We recognise that the Council now has robust governance arrangements in place and operates in a much more open and transparent environment. 

"We are confident that this sort of extravagant and unreasonable expenditure does not, and would not, take place today.

"Councillor Finch has indicated that he will consider this matter over the next few days and will take on board the legal advice and, importantly, the recommendation of this committee, before reaching a decision."

The family and friends of murdered Colchester man James Attfield gathered in Coggeshall today (June 30) for his funeral. 

Following the service at St Peter ad Vincula in Church Green at noon today (June 30) his mother issued one more tribute to her son. 

Essex Police are yet to charge anyone in connection with his murder after he was found stabbed more than 100 times in Castle Park on Saturday, March 29. 

 Mother Julie Finch said: "I have been asked on many occasions since his death what was Jim like? And all I can reply is 'he was just Jim'. 

"Jim had an infectious laugh and wicked sense of humour and will be sorely missed by all who knew him, especially his family. 

 "His life ended in a way nobody's should and today as a family we want to give him the send-off he deserves. Jim is being buried in Coggeshall church: though he is no longer here in person he can be close to me." 

The service, conducted by the Reverend Bill Howes, included some of Jim's favourite songs from Snow Patrol, The Script and Michael Bublé.

Detectives are continuing to appeal for the public to come forward to help them in their investigation into the murder. 

To date, detectives have taken over 800 statements and over 230 people have phoned them in response to appeals. 

They currently have over 4,300 documents and intelligence recorded on file. 

Police have previously issued CCTV of people that they want to speak to as they were in the area around the time of the murder and many people have  already contacted them. 

However, they need seven people to come forward so that they can be eliminated from the enquiry and they may hold vital witness information. 

The charity Crimestoppers has now increased the reward it is offering for information leading to a conviction from £5,000 to £10,000. 

DI Cameron added: "James was a vulnerable man who would not have been able to run away from his attacker. 

"For the sake of his family we will do all we can to bring his killer to justice. If you can help us please contact the investigation team via 101 or give information to Crimestoppers." 

Eastern Regional Manager for Crimestoppers Ann Scott said: "Please come forward with any information you have and give these two families some answers. Somebody somewhere knows who took these innocent people's life." 

If you have any information on the murder, or that of the murder of Nahid Almanea found dead earlier this month, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. 

Alternatively call Essex Police on 101.

A care home has been investigated 20 times in the last 18 months over concerns for vulnerable residents' well-being.

Essex County Council received 20 complaints about the Old Deanery in Bocking between December 2012 and April 2014.

The statistics, also reveal council investigators visited The Old Deanery and St Mary's Court, which is part of the same facility, 41 times over the course of 20 investigations.

Of these 20 cases, ten were prior to the BBC Panorama investigation and eight were launched in the immediate aftermath in March this year. Ten investigations are ongoing.

Ten more that have been resolved include two residents removed from the care of the home as a result of 11 cases of neglect, four of physical abuse and one of sexual abuse.

There was also one case of financial abuse and one of emotional or psychological abuse and two "institutional".

In February, the Panorama investigation triggered the suspension of seven carers and the sacking of another.

Once the show was screened on April 30, a police probe was launched and three carers were arrested on suspicion of assault.

All three women from Braintree are currently on bail until the end of July while the investigation continues.

Six of the seven staff suspended were then dismissed after an internal investigation and one has returned to work without any further action.

One of the main problems related to staff ignoring call bells, with some residents left soaking in urinefor hours.

Panorama secretly filmed carers slapping and verbally abusing residents.

Five safeguarding reports were deemed unsubstantiated by Essex County Council and in only one of the 20 cases was the family of the victim notified.

In one case, emergency services were called and another was flagged up with industry regulator the Care Quality Commission.

The internal investigation continues and Anglian Retirement Homes, which runs The Old Deanery, say they are fully co-operating with the Care Quality Commission, the Essex County Council Safeguarding team, Independent Living Advocacy and Essex Police.

They also said all the incidents happened under the previous management. The home was sold in November.

A spokesman said: "These recent investigations relate to the issues raised in the Panorama programme broadcast in April. As the police investigations are not yet complete, the investigations remain ongoing and we are unable to comment on these.

"We take all safeguarding incidents extremely seriously. As the council has confirmed, we have taken proactive steps to address all safeguarding issues as soon as they are brought to our attention and have been consistently open, transparent and co-operative with the authorities investigating these concerns."