Six teenagers arrested in connection with the death of Hassan Mohammed in Southend yesterday have been released.

The men, aged between 17 and 19, were detained following the incident in York Road on Monday (July 7). Essex Police have since opened a murder investigation.

Five have been bailed pending further enquiries, while one has been released with no further action.

Police made three further arrests in north London on Wednesday (July 9). These remain in police custody being questioned by detectives.

A pensioner who was killed in a crash on the M11 yesterday (July 10) was a 79-year-old woman from West Yorkshire, police have said.

The victim, from Halifax, was a passenger in a silver Vauxhall Astra estate which left the carriageway at around 3.30pm after hitting an HGV travelling in the same direction. The car then left the road and crashed into trees.

A 72-year-old man who was driving the car and a woman, aged 81 who was front seat passenger, were both seriously injured and are still receiving treatment in hospital.

They are both from the Retford area of Nottinghamshire.

The road was closed until about 10.30pm for recovery of the vehicles and while police carried out initial investigations.

Anyone with information about events leading to the collision, should call Sgt Damon Bainbridge at the Essex Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk

Two men have been charged in connection with the death of a man who was hit and killed by several cars after leaving last year's Brownstock Festival in Stow Maries.

Essex Police said its probe into the death of Paul Wickerson has since established that he was ejected and led away from the site by security staff at around 10.20pm on August 31 last year.

The 32-year-old lived in Australia. He died at about 10.45pm at Lower Burnham Road, Cold Norton.

Gregory Maxwell 32, of Masefield Crescent, Romford, and Brian Atkins, 49, of Gordon Road, Ilford, have both been charged with false imprisonment and kidnap.

They have been bailed to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on August 13.

A 36-year-old man from Southend who was also arrested in connection with the incident has been released from his bail without charge.

RESEARCHERS often discover from documents such as census returns or death certificates that an ancestor spent time in a workhouse.

The minutes of the Boards of Guardians, who oversaw the running of Essex workhouses after 1834, have been deposited at ERO, and these can give an idea of what life was like for inmates.

However, a picture – or in this case an Ordnance Survey map – can sometimes be far more effective.

This extract is taken from the 120 inch: 1 mile map series and shows the ground floor of the newly built Maldon workhouse (now St. Peter's Hospital) with a typical layout of rooms.

On admission to the workhouse, males and females were separated and this plan shows further segregation: for example, aged females, bedridden females, able-bodied females and girls all had different day rooms.

When allowed outside for fresh air, they would all be in different airing yards or playgrounds.

Plans of the workhouse, also available here, show that this separation continues on other floors, with different dormitories and even different staircases.

HISTORIC manorial documents – some more than 800 years old – are available to view at a special one-off event on July 12.

Essex Through the Ages: Tracing the Past Using Manorial Documents, from 10.30am until 3.30pm, will feature four renowned speakers, including a Washington-based expert in late-Medieval and early-modern English history.

The documents make it easier for the public to trace a relative pre-1538, when parish registers were first introduced.

Manors were the unit of land at the heart of the post-Norman Conquest feudal system, in which all land was owned by the king.

He rewarded his followers by giving them land. Manorial documents were the only records in which an ordinary Essex person was likely to appear and also included surveys and maps.

Tickets cost £15.

A WITHAM girl who suffered serious brain damage as a result of delays in diagnosing and treating her meningitis as a baby has been awarded a £5.5 million settlement.

Ellie Sutton, nine, received the lifetime care and rehabilitation settlement from the Royal Courts of Justice on Monday (July 7) after it was ruled that there had been delays at Colchester Hospital in diagnosing the illness.

Ellie was eight months old when she was referred to the paediatric unit at the Essex hospital after her GP suspected she was suffering from meningitis, a condition which causes inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.

But after the hospital failed to follow their own guidelines for dealing with the symptoms the youngster displayed, she was ultimately left with severe brain damage and now needs care for the rest of her life, as well as suffering from epilepsy and learning difficulties which affect her speech.

Her mother Sarah Sutton said: "We were devastated when we found out that Ellie had suffered brain damage and even more heartbroken for her when we found out her condition could have been avoided had simple errors not been made.

"To watch our daughter struggle with everyday life is devastating on our family and no matter what happens nothing can change that.

"I strongly urge everyone to trust their instincts when it comes to their loved ones. We put our trust in the professionals and they do fail leaving disastrous consequences. Nobody will know your children like you do and with meningitis every second really does count.

"Ellie is an amazing little girl and we are very proud of her determination and will be behind her every step of the way."

The court found that the hospital had failed to follow their own guidelines in Ellie's treatment, which recommend that any child with a temperature of more than 38°c should be kept in and monitored hourly.

Instead, she was discharged shortly after arriving despite a recorded temperature as high as 39.9°c.

Even after Ellie's mother took her back to the hospital later that evening and the doctor recommended her condition was investigated further, a medical review was not conducted until the ward rounds 11 hours later.

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust admitted that without the delays in treatment Ellie would have made a full recovery.

"We are incredibly relieved that the case has been fully settled as Ellie will now have the means to get the care and expert rehabilitation that she needs to help in her everyday life and as a parent it's a huge relief knowing that she will receive support into her adult life too," added Sarah.

A Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: "We confirm that we have settled a claim brought by Mrs Sarah Sutton on behalf of her daughter Ellie. An admission of liability was made in October 2009. The Trust has apologised unreservedly.

"The Trust acknowledges that errors were made in the failure to diagnose meningitis and expresses their sincere regret again to Mrs Sutton and to Ellie."

BRAINTREE Town skipper Kenny Davis is raring to get the new season under way.

The Iron have their first pre-season fixtures on Saturday, with the squad being split to play at Stanway Rovers and Long Melford.

It's a busy period for Braintree – the club have confirmed nine games already before the Conference Premier season gets going on August 9.

On the list are visits from Southend United, Norwich City and West Ham United, with Davis admitting that more matches are the way to go.

He said: "We are into the second week now and it is all looking pretty good. The squad is taking shape nicely. Obviously it is getting tough, but we are going to get most of our fitness from games to be honest.

"There are some really good games in there, with Southend, Norwich and West Ham and all of the games are great.

"It is all right doing the long-distance stuff, but really and truly football isn't done over 12-minute running. It is more sprints and that sort of running, so I definitely think the best way to get up to scratch is to play games, so the more games the better."

Iron boss Alan Devonshire has secured the signings of Charlie Strutton and Dan Walker, after the attacking duo enjoyed successful loan spells at Cressing Road.

And Davis is excited by the extra attacking threat that the new boys will provide.

"The attacking boys that have come in will make us much stronger going forward and hopefully get us even more goals this year," he said.

THREE head teachers and a school site manager have raised more than £6,000 by cycling from Cambridge to Writtle on the Tour de France route.

The 64-mile ride was made to collect cash for charities chosen by nine-year-old Katy Kyriacou, who has been fighting leukaemia following a diagnosis in August last year.

Katy, the daughter of Phil Kyriacou, head of Kings Road Primary School in Chelmsford, joined her dad, plus Nick Taylor, head teacher of her school Writtle Juniors, the school's site manager Mark Turner, who is also Katy's godfather, and their friend, head of Ingatestone and Fryerning Juniors, Neil Taggart, for the final mile of the ride.

Katy's brother Sam, 11, was also part of the convoy which rode into the grounds of Writtle Juniors amid cheers from assembled pupils and staff.

"Katy was a bit embarrassed by all the attention and was not sure she was going to do the last mile of the ride, but she decided at the last minute," said Mr Kyriacou, who admits the past ten months has been tough for the family.

He explained how the family of five, which also includes mum Sue and daughter Sophie, four, were on holiday in Lanzarote last August when Katy complained of pains in her legs and feeling lethargic and achy.

He said: "She just did not want to go in the pool or play any sport, or show much interest in doing anything. A friend booked a doctor's appointment for us which we went to as soon as we got home. That was at 2pm, and at 7.30pm the same day we were at Addenbrooke's Hospital being told Katy had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

"It was a complete shock. The symptoms appear to be simply growing pains and as a parent you would never think it could be something this serious."

Katy has undergone intensive chemotherapy and is now on a maintenance programme which will continue until 2016. Her visits to Addenbrooke's, although still regular, are becoming fewer and she has just completed three full weeks back at school.

Mr Kyriacou said: "We have been very lucky in having very supportive friends and family and I have a great team at Kings Road who have helped me in school so much these past few months."

It was Katy's godfather Mark Turner who suggested the bike ride. Katy asked that half of the money go to the wards at Addenbrooke's where she has been treated, and the other to a charity called Cyclists Fighting Cancer, which provides adapted bikes for youngsters suffering the ill effects of the disease.

Mr Kyriacou added: "The ride was good. We had done a bit of training."

To make a donation, go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/KatyK

Detectives in Colchester are treating the stabbing of a man in a supermarket in a broad daylight as a drugs related attack.

The victim, in his 20s, was discovered by police with abdominal injuries in Aldi in Magdalen Street yesterday (July 11) at around 2.30pm.

He was rushed to hospital but his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening at this stage.

Two men aged 17 and 18 and from London were arrested on suspicion of assault and drugs offences in nearby East Street at just after 3pm in connection with the incident. They are being questioned by detectives.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident should contact detectives at Colchester CID on Essex Police 101. People can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A 17-year-old boy has become the latest to be arrested in connection with the murder of Hassan Mohammed in Southend.

The suspect from Southend, was arrested by officers olast night (July 11) at an address in Burdett Avenue, Westcliff. He is being questioned at Southend police station.

Three other men, aged 17, 18 and 18 from north London, arrested on Wednesday (July 9), are also still helping officers with their enquiries and remain in custody

Hassan, 24, of Camberwell, south London, died in Southend Hospital on Tuesday (July 8), following an incident in York Road which took place at around 7pm on Monday (July 7). He received two stab wounds.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Simon Werrett said: "The response from the public has been great, but I would still urge anyone who has any information who has not yet spoken to us to contact us.

"We are particularly interested in any motorists who were in the York Road area around 7pm on Monday."

Anyone that can help is asked to contact Essex Police on 101 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Six men arrested on Monday in connection with the murder have been released from police custody with no further action in relation to the murder.

The loom band craze currently sweeping the nation's youngsters seems to have taken another bizarre twist.

A child's dress made entirely of the colourful elastic bands appears to be up for grabs on Ebay from an Essex seller for a mammoth £1.15million.

It comes after medical experts warned creating loom bands could pose a risk to youngsters' health if not used with caution, following a rash of incidents in which children have been blinded or lost circulation in their arms.

Thousands have taken to fixing together colourful elastic bands to create the bracelets, which have also been seen on high-profile figures such as the Duchess of Cambridge.

But health professionals have warned the bands could pose a risk to circulation after a boy in Bristol fell asleep with the bands wrapped around his fingers.

Dr Anne-Marie Houlder, a senior GP,has said: "They could be a choking hazard or cause circulatory problems if children swallow or wrap them round their fingers for any length of time.

"Parents need to be aware of the potential dangers if children are left unattended."

The bands have grown in popularity after a number of celebrities were spotted wearing the bracelets earlier this year

Police are investigating the alleged rape of a woman in Braintree town centre.

The incident was reported to have happened in the early hours of Saturday morning (July 12) at around 2am, in an alleyway behind The Lounge bar.

Police cordons were in place in School Walk, between Sainsbury's and The Lounge but have now been taken down.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "The incident was reported to police at 2.55am this morning, but is believed to have happened about an hour before.

"The victim is being supported by specially trained officers and enquiries are continuing."

Anyone with any information which could help the investigation is urged to call police on 101.

TRAGICALLY and suddenly orphaned, infant Mary Goodwin could have become one of the first to live in the squalid conditions of an Essex workhouse.

That is the theory of Maggie Andersen, Mrs Goodwin's great, great granddaughter, who on Thursday was keenly rummaging through documents at the record office in Wharf Road, Chelmsford.

"I want to know what happened after she was born, it's been driving me crazy," said the 66-year-old, one of eight researchers invited.

"It's a bit like why did they climb Everest – because it's there, I want to find out. It's your genetic roots and I really like solving puzzles."

Ms Andersen's friend Tessa Barker, by her side at the office last week, was the first to discover an archived article documenting Mrs Goodwin's parents' death in the Essex Chronicle.

Edward Goodwin dropped dead suddenly in Ilford in June 1837, thought to have died from shock the same day his wife died giving birth to daughter Mary.

As an orphan it's highly likely she would have been taken under the wing of the Romford Union workhouse, built on a five-acre site in 1838.

While Ms Andersen failed to trace her ancestor's name in one of the many parish records spread out on a table last week, she said: "I am equipped with the knowledge and the know-how now."

Workhouse unions were established across the country following the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834.

While they offered some education and medical care, life was deliberately intended to be harsh to deter the able-bodied poor and to ensure only the truly destitute applied.

Like Romford, the Chelmsford, Maldon and Braintree Union workhouses were formed in the 1830s, and soon resembled the institution portrayed in Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist.

The Chelmsford Union workhouse, which could accommodate 400 and cost £5,650 to construct, was built in 1835 on what is now the old St John's Hospital site in Wood Street.

A census conducted in 1881 reveals Chelmsford housed 243 people, some as old as 89, categorising each person under one of four headings, whether they were blind, deaf and dumb, an imbecile or a lunatic.

Access and participation officer Hannah Salisbury said people visit the record office to find out not only whether their ancestors lived in a workhouse, but what life was like for them.

"It's interesting," said Hannah.

"You may well search for your ancestor on the census and you find you have their name, whether they were living there, or died there, that is the first indication.

"But when doing your family history some people find it more interesting to take that further and find out what life was like for them.

"It's all part of finding out their journey, whether they were in there late or earlier in their life, or what happened to them, did they escape?

"The idea of someone ending their life in a workhouse is so terribly sad."

For more information on the record office call: 01245 244644 or visit www.essex.gov.uk

Anyone who believes they are a descendant of Edward Goodwin is also asked to contact Ms Andersen on 07877 923 474

DISTRICT Commander Alan Cook said he thinks it is right that bars and clubs staying open late should contribute to city centre policing costs.

Chelmsford City Council's proposed late night levy scheme, which would see bars paying as much as £85 a week for the right to serve alcohol until the early hours, was recommended for approval at a licensing meeting last week.

"Policing is not free," said Chief Inspector Cook. "It costs us a huge amount of money for us to police the city centre. Therefore I think it's right that if people help contribute, it makes it a better place.

"Rather than hitting business and making it bad for business, if we make it safer we'll make it even better and we might see even more people wanting to come here.

"There is a huge drain on our resources so therefore, for what I would consider is a relatively small cost we are asking the people who are in effect creating the visitors to pay towards the policing."

THE homes masterplan for Maldon district looked in tatters after an "embarrassing" public grilling from a government planning inspector.

Maldon District Council's officers struggled to answer questions on their Local Development Plan (LDP) from planning inspector David Vickery say campaigners who attended Thursday's meeting.

Don Benson, chairman of Heybridge Residents' Association, said: "It was embarrassing. I think we all started to feel sorry for the council because they looked as though they hadn't prepared.

"They didn't seem to have an idea how to respond to the questions being asked by the inspector and they've been sitting on his concerns for two weeks."

Mr Vickery outlined his concerns about the supporting evidence suggesting the council only needs to build 4,410 homes, the delivery rates for the homes, the phasing of the required infrastructure, details of allocation and the number of gypsy pitches required.

The meeting, attended by more than 130 people, was so packed that the council provided facilities in both its training room and main reception with coverage of the proceedings.

Individuals and representatives of the authority, members of the public and supporters and objectors of the plan were allowed to comment at the proceedings.

According to campaigners, officers often looked stumped when being required to answer questions, despite the council knowing about the inspector's concerns.

Previously, Mr Vickery had written to the council outlining numerous issues with the council's LDP, its blueprint for 4,410 homes to be built across the district by 2031.

As a result, the council asked for three extra months before the plan is examined to consider Mr Vickery's concerns about the LDP, leaving the district more susceptible to overdevelopment.

It has also now commissioned Neil McDonald, a Fellow at the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research, to undertake an external audit in relation to the district's assessed needs for housing.

Mr Benson said: "This doesn't inspire confidence – God knows how much money this LDP has cost already and now they need an extra consultant and three more months to sort it out."

The longer it takes for the authority to have a confirmed LDP in place, the more susceptible the district is to developer's plans winning on appeal with the Government Inspectorate.

Kath Vale, chairwoman of the Save Maldon Action Group (SMAG), said: "The council didn't reply to the inspector's questions nearly enough.

"They knew that the questions were coming; by getting in a new consultant this is going to cost more public money.

"If this LDP does get thrown out, the council should have thought about a Plan B.

"His concerns match SMAG's in the sense that we need more homes near better infrastructure," she added.

But Maldon District Council had a wholly different opinion of how the meeting went.

Councillor Bob Boyce, leader of Maldon District Council, said: "I was extremely impressed with the way in which our strategic planning policy manager David Coleman and his team set out the council's position at the exploratory meeting, and the fact that this was also recognised by some of the members of the public present was a testament to the clarity Mr Coleman provided at this important meeting."

Cllr Stephen Savage was there in his capacity as a Maldon town councillor.

He said: "The officers, in my opinion, did a good job.

"The inspector asked a number of questions that officers need to test the housing market before they answer fully."

David Coleman, strategic planning policy manager for Maldon District Council, added: "The Inspector acknowledged the enormity of the task facing the council in putting in place a sound local plan that meets the ever changing latest Government requirements.

"He warned that the district may have to accept even higher levels of housing than currently planned as a result of the latest evidence which has emerged since the plan was submitted.

"The council provided the inspector with details of additional work considered necessary to address the concerns raised and is seeking a suspension of the examination.

"The vital importance of putting in place an up-to-date LDP for the district was widely acknowledged by those present in order to safeguard the district against the threat of speculative and uncoordinated development."

Mr Vickery has accepted the council's request to suspend the examination of the plan until Monday, October 13.