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Christmas and New Year opening times for Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl

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It's the time of year when you'll need to know when the doors slam shut on the supermarkets, if you're rushing to get some goods for the New Year.

See below for all the opening times for the main supermarkets in mid-Essex during the all important festive season.

CHELMSFORD

Tesco, Princes Road, Chelmsford

  • Saturday, December 27 - 7am to 10pm
  • New Year's Eve - open until 7pm
  • New Year's Day - 9am to 6pm
  • Friday, January 2 - open as normal

Tesco, Springfield Road, Chelmsford

  • New Year's Eve - open until 7pm
  • New Year's Day - closed
  • Friday, January 2 - open as normal

Sainsbury's, White Hart Lane, Chelmsford

  • Saturday, December 27 - 7am to 9pm
  • Monday, December 29 - 7am to 9pm
  • New Year's Eve - open until 7pm
  • New Year's Day - closed
  • Friday, January 2 - open as normal

Aldi, Springfield Road, Chelmsford

  • Saturday, December 27 - 8am to 10pm
  • Monday, December 29 - 8am to 10pm
  • Tuesday, December 30 - 8am to 10pm
  • New Year's Eve - 8am to 6pm
  • New Year's Day - closed
  • Friday, January 2 - 8am to 9pm

Lidl, Van Diemens Road, Chelmsford

  • Saturday, December 27 - Open as normal
  • Monday, December 29 - Open as normal
  • Tuesday, December 30 - Open as normal
  • New Year's Eve - Open until 6pm
  • New Year's Day - closed
  • Friday, January 2 - Open as normal

Asda, Chelmer Village Retail Park, Chelmsford

  • Saturday, December 27 - 8am to 10pm
  • Sunday, December 28 - 10am to 4pm
  • Monday, December 29 - 8am to midnight
  • New Year's Eve - 6am until 7pm
  • New Year's Day - 10am to 6pm
  • Friday, January 2 - open as normal

Marks and Spencer, High Street, Chelmsford

  • Saturday, December 27 - 8am to 8pm
  • Monday, December 29 - 8am to 7pm
  • Tuesday, December 30 - 8am to 7pm
  • New Year's Eve - 8am to 6pm
  • New Year's Day - closed
  • Friday, January 2 - Open as normal

BRAINTREE

Sainsbury's, Tofts Walk, Braintree

  • Saturday, December 27 - 7am to 8pm
  • Monday, December 29 - 7am to 8pm
  • New Year's Eve - 7am until 7pm
  • New Year's Day - closed
  • Friday, January 2 - open as normal

Tesco, Market Place, Braintree

  • New Year's Eve - 6am until 7pm
  • New Year's Day - closed
  • Friday, January 2 - open as normal

Tesco, Coggeshall Road, Marks Gate, Braintree

  • New Year's Eve - 6am until 7pm
  • New Year's Day - 9am to 6pm
  • Friday, January 2 - open as normal

Tesco, Notley Green, Braintree

  • New Year's Eve - 6am until 7pm
  • New Year's Day - closed
  • Friday, January 2 - open as normal

Morrisons, Rayne Road, Braintree

  • Saturday, December 27 - 8am to 8pm
  • Sunday, December 28 - 10am to 4pm
  • Monday, December 29 - 8am to 8pm
  • New Year's Eve - 8am until 6pm
  • New Year's Day - 10am to 5pm
  • Friday, January 2 - open as normal

SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS

Asda, Queen Elizabeth Square, South Woodham Ferrers

  • Saturday, December 27 - 8am to 10pm
  • Sunday, December 28 - 10am to 4pm
  • Monday, December 29 - 6am to midnight
  • New Year's Eve - 6am to 7pm
  • New Year's Day - 10am to 6pm
  • Friday, January 2 - 8am to midnight

MALDON

Tesco, Fulbridge, Maldon

  • Saturday, December 27 - midnight to midnight
  • Sunday, December 28 - 10am to 4pm
  • Monday, December 29 -
  • New Year's Eve - Open until 7pm
  • New Year's Day - 9am to 6pm
  • Friday, January 2 - open midnight onwards

Morrisons, 43 - 45 High Street, Maldon

  • Saturday, December 27 -7am to 9pm
  • Sunday, December 28 - 7am to 9pm
  • Monday, December 29 - 7am to 9pm
  • New Year's Eve - 7am to 9pm
  • New Year's Day - 8am to 9pm
  • Friday, January 2 - 7am to 9pm

Morrisons, Limebrook Way, Maldon

  • Saturday, December 27 - 8am to 8pm
  • Sunday, December 28 - 10am to 4pm
  • Monday, December 29 - 8am to 8pm
  • New Year's Eve - 8am to 6pm
  • New Year's Day - 10am to 5pm
  • Friday, January 2 - 7am to 10pm

Marks and Spencers, 40, 40a, 42 High Street, Maldon

  • Saturday, December 27 – 8am to 6pm
  • Sunday, December 28 - 10am to 4pm
  • Monday, December 29 - 8am to 6pm
  • New Year's Eve – 8am to 5pm
  • New Year's Day – closed
  • Friday, January 2 – 8am to 6pm

WITHAM

Asda, 24 Highfields Road, Witham

  • Saturday, December 27 – 6am to midnight
  • Sunday, December 28 - open as normal
  • Monday, December 29 - open as normal
  • New Year's Eve – 6am to 7pm
  • New Year's Day – 10am to 6pm
  • Friday, January 2 – open as normal

Morrisons, Braintree Road, Witham

  • Saturday, December 27 – 8am to 8pm
  • Sunday, December 28 - open as normal
  • Monday, December 29 - open as normal
  • New Year's Eve – 8am to 6pm
  • New Year's Day – 10am to 5pm
  • Friday, January 2 – 7am to 9pm

Morrisons, 113 Hatfield Road, Witham

  • Saturday, December 27 – 6am to 11pm
  • Sunday, December 28 - open as normal
  • Monday, December 29 - open as normal
  • New Year's Eve – 6am to 10pm
  • New Year's Day – 8am to 10pm
  • Friday, January 2 – 6am to 11pm

Tesco, The Grove Centre, Witham

  • Saturday, December 27 - 6am to 8pm
  • Sunday, December 28 - open as normal
  • Monday, December 29 - open as normal
  • New Year's Eve – 6am to 7pm
  • New Year's Day - closed

Christmas and New Year opening times for Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl


Chelmsford council leader defends £6million parking profit

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CRITICS have stoked fears Chelmsford City Council is running its car park portfolio like a business after generating £6 million revenue from car parks last year.

The 2013/14 revenue was eight per cent higher than the previous financial year, its largest year-on-year increase in half a decade, with £2.9 million of that profit.

High Chelmer shopping centre manager Mick McDonagh said: "As long as that money, the profits, is reused for infrastructure work, and not lost in the council coffers, then it is to be applauded.

"That's my concern, that it might get lost and won't find its way to the much needed public realm works."

The figures, published in an RAC Foundation report this month, ranks the city council's parking charge profit as the 44th highest out of 353 UK authorities.

Braintree was ranked 205th with a £522,000 profit and Maldon 238th with £300,000.

The £2.9 million Chelmsford surplus, made from its 19 off-street car parks, is £3.1 million greater than its £2.6 million equivalent made last year.

It typically costs £1.20 to leave a car for one hour in a long or short stay car park in Chelmsford.

In January last year, local businesses reacted in outrage at ever-increasing parking charges when we revealed the council's profits from last year.

Mr McDonagh would like to see money spent on a third park and ride, which cost £3 per weekday at Sandon and Chelmer Valley, which would alleviate traffic in the city centre.

"If you look at other successful city councils such as Oxford and Cambridge, they rely heavily on park and ride which I have advocated long before the first one was born in Chelmsford," he said.

City council leader Councillor Roy Whitehead said any profit helps keep council tax down for residents.

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government , Eric Pickles, however, told the Chronicle the council's profit must be ploughed back into transport infrastructure.

Mr Pickles said: "They can't use this money to keep the council tax down, they can only use this money on transport related issues, so if they're doing that they might be open to a legal challenge.

"They have to give consideration to ensure that local businesses prosper and local small businesses prosper.

"Reasonable parking charges are good, but those kinds of figures are well and truly coin."

Responding to Mr Pickles, Cllr Whitehead said only parking fines and charges from on-street areas are ring-fenced for transport infrastructure.

"He is right but only in part," said Cllr Whitehead. But what we own from our own car parks, which are property assets, are ordinary revenue. Revenue is going up partly because car parks are being used more and more by people coming to shop and work in Chelmsford.

"This will increase when the Bond Street car park is closed on January 3 for the John Lewis development and we'll see people parking in our car parks.

"We've seen a surge in people wanting to come and take permits in our car parks so revenue increased which does help us keep council tax down."

Chelmsford council leader defends £6million parking profit

Marylou's Christmas treat for the homeless one year after burglary heartbreak

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A CAFE owner who fed her lonely customers Christmas lunch free-of-charge last year opened her doors to the homeless too.

Marylou's Cafe & Sandwich Bar in Byron Road, Chelmsford, expects a huge turn-out on Christmas Day after staff paraded Moulsham Street inviting street homeless for a meal.

The Salvation Army's Chelmsford branch in Baddow Road, did not hosting a meal this year, allowing charities such as CHESS, Sanctus in Broomfield Road, churches and Marylou's to take the reins.

Owner Marylou Lowe, 29, said: "We went out to Moulsham Street every Saturday evening taking blankets and telling people where the cafe is and what we're doing. Then when we heard Salvation Army were not opening we panicked a little, thinking there's going to be more than what we can handle, but we have lots of food and we'll be there all day."

Marylou fed 16 guests last year when she appealed via the Chronicle for donations after burglars smashed through the door and stole £300 saved for the dinner. This year's dinner included a three-course meal, including roasted turkey, music and a bingo game.

Yet she is short of gifts for the customers to take away and drinks – so locals can still donate.

Speaking before Christmas, Chelmsford Salvation Army Major, minister Mark Sawyer, said the busy charity did not host a lunch because various other venues are following suit, and so it can relieve its hard-working volunteers.

"I now take a step back to let other people do a Christmas lunch because otherwise everyone will come to ours," said Mr Sawyer, whose team delivered 220 Christmas hampers and toys to 100 families this Christmas.

"The volunteers also want time with their families. We rely on volunteers all the time.

"They work their socks off."

Marylou's Christmas treat for the homeless one year after burglary heartbreak

Calls for knife amnesty in Chelmsford after death of Ashley Woolley

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CHELMSFORD MP Simon Burns is acting on calls to introduce a knife amnesty in the city.

Following the death of Ashley Woolley in Oaklands Park on December 18, parents and friends of the former Boswells School student are demanding action.

It is hoped a zero tolerance approach to knife possession would quell the threat of a repeat incident if hundreds of dangerous blades are handed in to the authorities by the public.

A similar campaign was introduced in Clacton earlier this year after an increase in knife crime of 23 per cent from March 2013 to February 2014, where the former Minister of State for Transport recalls more than 400 knives were disposed of in a three-month period.

Mr Burns said: "I am currently in correspondence with the Chief Constable of Essex Police and the Chief Crime Commissioner about the issue.

"I've had letters and e-mails from constituents about this matter, but I don't think we have as big a problem with knife crime as certain inner cities around the country.

"However, I have suggested to the relevant authorities that if such a project is viable, it should be implemented as soon as possible."

The Tory MP for Chelmsford said tragedies such as Ashley Woolley's are relatively rare, and that it is impossible to ban knives altogether, and the Government has stiffened the penalties for people carrying knives; with an automatic prison sentence for such an offence.

But Mr Burns said Parliament cannot pass a law to stop crime.

He said: "I think parents have an important role to play as well. "They need to teach children how to behave and the difference between right and wrong.

"But, importantly, I don't think the people of Chelmsford are at risk of this sort of thing happening more frequently."

He added: "My heart goes out to his family. It was a terrible thing to have happened. He was a young man who had his whole future ahead of him."

Sharon Knevett, whose daughter was a friend of Ashley, has started an e-petition backing the introduction of a knife amnesty.

CHIEF Inspector Alan Cook, District Commander for Chelmsford and Maldon, has given his full backing to a proposed knife amnesty in the city, suggesting it would not be difficult to implement.

A campaign to disarm Chelmsford of its knives would involve encouraging people to deliver any unwanted or dangerous blades to various disposal bins around the city.

Chief Inspector Cook said: "A knife amnesty would not be that challenging to arrange.

"We are talking with our partners at the city council and we are discussing what actions to take.

"At present, we've got no specific arrangements in place, but now is the time for us to start considering our response to last week's tragic incident.

"We are currently reviewing what happened and I imagine we will be working with the college, given the proximity of the incident to the institution.

"We need to educate people."

Calls for knife amnesty in Chelmsford after death of Ashley Woolley

Bicknacre home proposals 'would change village's character'

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A PLAN to build 110 homes and a doctor's surgery in a village is "the wrong development in the wrong place", according to residents.

The application by Gladman Homes, in the consultation stage, is envisaged for land east of Main Road, Bicknacre.

Andrew Armstrong, 42, whose family home backs onto the proposed development site, said: "At the moment my elderly neighbour, who has lived in the same house for 45 years, and I overlook farmland and woodland.

"It is going to be literally in our back garden and my wife has asked the developer what they propose to do about it, but they haven't got back to us."

Some fear that the major development would irreversibly damage the character of the village.

Woodham Ferrers and Bicknacre parish councillor Richard Poulter said: "The proposals are similar to those in Great Leighs, and would change the character of the village. It's the wrong development in the wrong place, and as far as the doctor's surgery is concerned, that is just a suggestion, so it might not happen."

Mr Armstrong continued: "There's no concern about how it affects people's lives. The only concern is finance; they're not trying to win the hearts and minds of people here.

"Many people in the village have pointed out that 110 houses could easily be put in here on smaller plots without having to create a large infrastructure.

"Local shops are also concerned that if a doctor's surgery doesn't work on the site, they could put a supermarket there instead.

"And if we keep having development after development, it won't be long until something like that does spring up."

Bicknacre home proposals 'would change village's character'

Police probe woman's unexplained death in Galleywood

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The death of a woman found seriously ill at a property in Galleywood today is under investigation by police.

Officers, the air ambulance and paramedics in three ambulances and one rapid response car were called to Arnold Way shortly before 10.20am today (December 27) following reports the woman was unwell.

She was later declared dead at the scene.

An Essex Police spokesman added: "The woman's death is being treated as unexplained and enquiries are continuing."

Police probe woman's unexplained death in Galleywood

Ebbsfleet pain for Chelmsford City

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THERE was little Boxing Day cheer as Chelmsford City were humbled 5-1 at Ebbsfleet United on Friday.

Former Claret Kenny Clark powered home a header after just ten minutes following a corner kick routine before Billy Bricknell tucked away a penalty after some tugging in the area.

City debutant Jaanai Gordon then halved the deficit before the interval, but Fleet skipper Daryl McMahon curled home an outstanding free-kick to restore their two goal advantage.

And, in an attempt to gain at least a point from the festive encounter, City were caught out with too many men up the pitch. Keeper Bradley Watkins let a ball slip and was caught out when Sean Shields lofted a ball into the empty net behind him.

Bricknell then added a fifth, tucking away a Watkins save as the Clarets' three game unbeaten home run came to an abrupt end.

City manager Mark Hawkes handed three debuts following last week's disappointing defeat at Hayes & Yeading, a result that subsequently brought to an end the Clarets' three match unbeaten league run.

Harry Hickford – who played for Chelmsford back in April – was straight into the starting eleven, lining up alongside former Ebbsfleet centre-back Yado Mambo. Michael Toner made his first start for the club, coming in for Leon Redwood, while Gordon – on loan from West Ham United – replaced the departed Jason Williams who returned to parent club Southend United earlier this week.

Ebbsfleet pain for Chelmsford City

Festive delight as Braintree down Dartford

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BRAINTREE Town recorded their third successive victory without conceding, winning 2-0 on a heavy pitch in the rain at Dartford on Boxing Day.

Iron took the lead from the penalty spot after home defender Tom Bemder handled in the penalty area and Charlie Strutton stepped up to drill the resultant spot kick passed Dartford keeper Jason Brown.

Alan Devonshire's men were marginally the better of the two sides during a niggle first half that saw both James Mulley and Remi Clerima have chances. After the break Iron controlled the game for lengthy periods and were good value for their second when Sim Akinola steered home Chez Isaac's cross.

Late on Matt Paine looked set to add a third only to be denied by a fine point-blank Brown reflex save. The three points lifted Braintree to 15th in the table and they entertain Eastleigh at the Miles Smith Stadium on  Sunday, kick-off at 3pm.

Festive delight as Braintree down Dartford


NATIONAL LOTTERY RESULTS: Lotto and Thunderball draw numbers on Saturday December 27

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Still nursing those post-Christmas blues? What better pick me up than a National Lottery win just before the New Year?

The draw has been completed for this weekend's contest and somebody is about to become £5.6million richer!

First off, the Thunderball numbers were: 22, 25, 28, 36, 23, and the Thunderball was 6 The Lotto draw numbers are: 46, 28, 11, 23, 30, 32, and the bonus ball 49

If it slipped your mind to buy tickets for Saturday, here's a reminder of those numbers: 7,9, 13, 44, 47, 48 and the bonus ball 22

Good luck! Lotto tickets can be bought daily until 11pm, or 7.30pm on draw days. Lotto, EuroMillions, and Lotto HotPicks sales then reopen at 9pm.

NATIONAL LOTTERY RESULTS: Lotto and Thunderball draw numbers on Saturday December 27

Snowfall reported in Essex!

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Twitter users in Clacton have been quick to report the first flakes of snow falling of the season tonight.

Forecasters at the Essex Weather Centre this afternoon said that snow showers could clip the Essex coastline today, with showers a possibility in both Clacton and Harwich.

And this evening, it looks like just that has happened.

Twitter user @Ellen_Handy posted at 9.40pm: "And it's snowing in Clacton in sea... May get snow here after all! Hopeful! #DoYouWantToBuildASnowman #snowday"

Whilst user @jadebuckleyxo said: "It's finally snowing in clacton yayay."

The Essex Weather Centre posted a picture of a map on the social media network just after 10pm, showing a heavy snow shower heading towards Southend.

A caption with the image, which showed the shower above Burnham-on-Crouch, read: "Radar indicating a short-lived but fairly heavy snow shower heading towards Southend in the next 10 minutes."

Met Office forecasters this morning issued a 'yellow warning of ice' for Essex.

The chief forecaster said: "Northerly winds have followed Friday nights vigorous depression introducing much colder conditions. 

"Clear spells on Saturday evening and night will allow temperatures to fall sharply allowing widespread ice to readily form on untreated surfaces. 

"The most widespread ice is expected where melting snow cover refreezes and where showers occur."

Snowfall reported in Essex!

Named and shamed: a round up of cases heard by Essex magistrates

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CASES heard by Chelmsford and Colchester magistrates from Monday, December 1 to Monday, December 8.

Sent to prison

KEITH OWEN YOUNG, 24, of Heritage Way, Latchingdon, was sent to prison for 22 weeks. 

He was given 14 weeks for assaulting a woman and one week concurrent for damaging a door and mobile phone to the value of £150 belonging to the same person at Chelmsford on October 11, two months after being given a community order for similar offences, and was given eight weeks consecutive for the original offences. 

He was also given a restraining order not to contact the victim and must pay an £80 victim surcharge.

COLETTE LOUISE BRINKLEY, 31, of The Hill, Harlow, was sent to prison for 14 days for committing fraud in Chelmsford on December 4 by stating that she had bought a jacket that she had stolen with the intention of making a gain of £119. 

She was also given 14 days concurrent for possessing tin foil wrapping to prevent security tags being activated; and 14 days concurrent for stealing sandwiches to the value of £7.70 from Marks & Spencer. She must pay an £80 victim surcharge.

Suspended sentences

JOSHUA PAUL SMITH, 24, of Gratian Close, Highwoods, Colchester, was given a 16 week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, for harassing a women in Chelmsford between November 1 and 3 by constantly ringing her door bell at 2am, threw biscuits at the windows, and hid in the rear garden. He committed the offence in breach of bail conditions not to contact her. 

The defendant must participate in an accredited programme for 19 days, attend appointments with a responsible officer and was given a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim or going to Cheviot Drive in Chelmsford. 

He must also pay an £80 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

OWEN ASHLEY HUCKLE, 26, of Station Road, White Notley, was given an eight week prison sentence, suspended for two years, for assaulting a woman at Southend on August 28 while subject to a community order imposed on February 26 was in force. 

He was given two two-week concurrent sentences for the original offences of assaulting a Police Constable and being drunk while in charge of a child and must pay an £80 victim surcharge.

STEVEN TILLYER, 39, of Salcott Creek Court, Braintree, was given a 12 week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was given two six week concurrent sentences for causing criminal damage of an unknown value to the inside of a Police vehicle and a Police cell at Braintree on November 9 and must pay £100 compensation. 

He was also given 12 weeks for assaulting another person by beating her. 

It was a serious offence committed in the presence of children. He must pay an £80 victim surcharge and £115 costs to the CPS.

DANIEL BOSTOCK, 27, of Pump Hill, Chelmsford, was given a 12 week concurrent prison sentence, suspended for 12 months for possessing a loaded air weapon when drunk at Colchester on October 13. 

He was also given four weeks concurrent for damaging two glass windows to the value of £500; and four weeks concurrent for causing £200 of damage to a vehicle. 

He was also given ten points on his driving licence for failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis and 12 weeks, suspended, for attending the address of a person he was prohibited from contacting and given a restraining order not to contact the victim or enter the Borough of Colchester. 

The defendant must participate in an accredited programme for 12 days, attend appointments with a responsible officer, pay an £80 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS.

Criminal damage

RICHARD ANTHONY MAYERS, 42, of Holkham Avenue, South Woodham Ferrers, must pay £98 compensation for damaging an Essex Police vehicle to the value of £98 at Chelmsford on November 16.

Criminal justice - assault

JOHN FLANNON CORNE, 49, of no fixed address, was given a community order for assaulting another person by beating her on two occasions at Maldon, on November 1 and 4. 

He was ordered to participate in an accredited programme for 29 days, attend appointments with a responsible officer, pay a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS. 

He was also given a restraining order not to contact the victim or go Washington Road in Maldon.

SCOTT BRIAN MAY, 34, of Marina Road, Hatfield Peverel, was given a community order for assaulting another person by beating him at Chelmsford on May 22. 

He was placed under a curfew for 28 days, with electronic monitoring, and ordered to pay £100 compensation, a £60 victim surcharge and £320 costs to the CPS.

JOEL DANIEL CAROLAN, 24, of Barnes Street, London, was given a community order for assaulting another person at Chelmsford on May 25 by beating him. 

He was also in possession of a quantity of cannabis, a controlled class B drug, and committed the offences while subject to a conditional discharge order imposed on April 2. 

The defendant was placed under a curfew for 34 days, with electronic monitoring, and must participate in Thinking Skills and attend appointments with a responsible officer. 

He must pay £50 compensation, a £60 victim surcharge and pay £400 costs to the CPS. He must also forfeit the drugs and have them destroyed.

BILLY JAMES WISEMAN, 22, of Bovey Way, South Ockendon, was given a community order for two counts of assaulting another person by beating her at Braintree on January 27 and between February 1 and 28. 

He was ordered to participate in an accredited programme for 29 days, attend appointments with a responsible officer, and carry out 120 hours of unpaid, supervised work within the next 12 months. 

He must pay £125 compensation, a £60 victim surcharge and £500 costs to the CPS.

CHARLES JAMES CASTLE, 31, of Blackwood Chine, South Woodham Ferrers, was given a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting a person he had assaulted at Chelmsford on May 3 and also prohibiting him from attending an address in Althorne or his victim's children. 

He must pay a £110 fine, a £20 victim surcharge and £250 costs to the CPS.

Criminal justice - breach


LOUIS WILLIAM BROWN, 24, of Langford Road, Wickham Bishops, must participate in an accredited programme for ten days in addition to the original requirements of a community order imposed on July 8 for failing to attend unpaid work appointments on October 26 and November 2. He must also pay £50 costs.

GEORGE CLARKE, 45, of Clements Close, Chelmsford, was fined £40 for failing to attend probation appointments on November 13 and April 14, according to a community order imposed on January 29. He must also pay £60 costs.

KRISTIAN JOHN NICHOLLS, 24, of Romanhurst, Heybridge, was ordered to participate in the Bridge Project for ten days in addition to the original requirements of a suspended sentence order imposed on September 23. 

He had failed to attend three appointments in October.

DENNIS WOOLLARD, 33, of High Street, Braintree, was fined £37 for failing to comply with a community order made on October 30 by failing to allow access to the place of curfew. He must also pay £43 costs.

ARIEL JACKOWSKI, 28, of The Drive, Chelmsford, was ordered to carry out an additional ten hours of unpaid, supervised work within the next 12 months in addition to the requirements of a community order imposed on May 7. 

He had failed to carry out unpaid work on three occasions during October and November. He must pay £50 costs.

JOHN THOMPSON, 44, of Stubbs Lane, Braintree, was placed under a curfew for ten days with electronic monitoring. He had failed to comply with the requirements of a community order made on October 22 by being absent from his place of curfew on two occasions in November.

Drink Driving

NIKKI MCKENZIE . 30, of Ipswich Road, Colchester, was given a community order for driving along the A12 at Chelmsford on November 22 when he was more than two and a half times the limit. 

His breath contained 96 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. 

He was banned for two years and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid, supervised work within the next 12 months, pay a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS.

Drugs - possession

LIAM ROBERT TINSLEY, 21, of no fixed address, was fined £73 for possessing 0.8 grams of amphetamine, a controlled class B drug, at Chelmsford on August 17. 

He must pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS in addition to forfeiting the drugs and having them destroyed.

JOSEPH STEPHEN TURNER, 25, of Wynford Road, London, N1, was fined £250 for possessing 0.7 grames of cocaine, a controlled class A drug, at Chelmsford on August 16. 

He must pay a £25 victim surcharge, and £85 costs to the CPS in addition to forfeiting the drugs and having them destroyed.

PETER ANTHONY BELL, 30, of Linnet Drive, Tile Kiln, Chelmsford, was fined £50 for possessing 0.9 grammes, including the wraps, of cannabis, a controlled class B drug, at Chelmsford on November 19. 

He was subject to a six month suspended sentence imposed on October 30 for possession of drugs and assault. He must pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS in addition to forfeiting the drugs and having them destroyed.

DENYS HALCHANSKY, 29, of Baker Avenue, Hatfield Peverel, was given a community order for possessing a quantity of cocaine at Hatfield Peverel on September 11. 

He also failed to provide a specimen of breath for analysis when suspected of having been in charge of a vehicle. 

The defendant must carry out 120 hours of unpaid, supervised work within the next 12 months. He must pay a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS. He must also forfeit the drugs and have them destroyed.

Drugs - producing

ROGER WILLIAM KEENAN, 49, of Tasman Court, Chelmsford, was fined £120 for being involved in the production of four cannabis plants, controlled class B drugs, at Chelmsford on October 29. 

He must pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS in addition to having the drugs forfeited and destroyed.

Drunk and disorderly

LUKAS LEMENTAUSKAS, 22, of Coolfin Road, Newham, London, was fined £80 for being drunk and disorderly at Stansted Airport on December 2. 

He must pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS.

Fraud

ANDREA ESTELLE PEARCE, 41, of Philip Road, Witham, was given a community order for two counts of fraud at Witham between February 20, 2011 and March 24 this year. 

She had dishonestly failed to disclose to Braintree District Council that her earnings had increased, with the intention of receiving Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. 

She was ordered to carry out 50 hours of unpaid, supervised work within the next 12 months, pay £9,878.50 compensation, and £250 costs.

Harassment

SUSAN ALISON ABBOTT, 45, of Melbourne Parade, Chelmsford, was fined £110 for harassing another person by sending 19 unwanted text messages at Harwich between October 14 and November 4. 

She must pay a £20 victim surcharge and £40 costs to the CPS.

Possession - offensive weapons

CHE COLLINS, 25, of Winnock Road, Colchester, was given a community order for possessing an offensive weapon, a black leather belt in Springfield Road, Chelmsford, on May 17. 

The defendant must participate in an accredited programme for 19 days, attend appointments with a responsible officer, carry out 120 hours of supervised, unpaid work within the next 12 months and pay a £60 victim surcharge.

Public order offences

SARAH LOUISE BETTINSON, 33, of Whitehouse Crescent, Chelmsford, was fined £35 for using threatening or abusive words or disorderly behaviour at Chelmsford on October 27 likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

She must pay a £20 victim surcharge and £50 costs to the CPS.

MATTHEW OWEN JOHN HAWKINS, 25, of Fox Crescent, Chelmsford, was fined £360 for using threatening or abusive words or disorderly behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress at the Gemini Centre, New London Road, Chelmsford on May 13. 

He must pay a £36 victim surcharge and £105 costs to the CPS.


Resisting a PC

ANNA LOUISE CHAPMAN, 22, of New Road, Great Wakering, was fined £73 for resisting a Police Constable in the execution of his duty at Maldon on October 4. She must pay a £20 victim surcharge and £40 costs to the CPS.


Theft - shoplifting

JIM GEOFFREY BARTER, 21, of Braintree Road, Witham, was given a community order for stealing eight packs of fillet steak to the value of £94.59 from Tesco in Maldon on October 28. 

The defendant must participate in an accredited programme for 19 days - Thinking Skills, attend appointments with a responsible officer, and carry out 60 hours of unpaid, supervised work within the next 12 months. 

He must pay a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS.

PAUL ROBERT JOHN APPLETON, 26, of Pioneer Place, Colchester, was given a community order for stealing three chocolate bars to the value of £6.28 from Tesco at Braintree on July 4. 

He also pleaded guilty of failing to surrender to custody at Colchester Magistrates' Court on July 22, having been released on bail from Braintree Police Station. 

He must attend appointments with a responsible officer, and carry out 120 hours of unpaid, supervised work within the next 12 months.

RICARDO BOUCHENGA, 21, of Barnfield Mews, Chelmsford, was fined £200 plus a £20 victim surcharge for stealing unknown items from Morrisons at Chelmsford on December 6. 

He was subject to a community order made on November 19 for three counts of shoplifting. He was also fined a further £300 for the original offences.

JOHN GOLDEN , 53, of no known address, was fined £100 for stealing two bottles of wine from Morrisons at Chelmsford on December 6. He must also pay a £20 victim surcharge.

Theft – other

JAKE BERNIE MOTT, 24, of Holburne Road, London, SE3, was ordered to pay £20.04 compensation after driving off at Witham on May 17 without paying £24.04 for petrol.

Failed to report

AIYEDAYO OLUNOWO, 30, of West Avenue, Chelmsford, was given eight penalty points on his licence after failing to stop and give his name and address and vehicle details following an accident which injured another person at Waltham Road, Boreham on February 11. He also failed to report it to the Police within 24 hours.

He was fined £315 and must pay a £31 victim surcharge and £625 costs to the CPS.

Named and shamed: a round up of cases heard by Essex magistrates

Free breast reduction op for Chelmsford mum Kim Mills after NHS refusal

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A PLASTIC surgeon has reduced a mother-of-two's breasts by five cup sizes for free after the NHS refused.

Kim Mills, 32, from Trenchard Crescent in Springfield, Chelmsford, lost consecutive appeals for NHS-funded reduction surgery for the 38KK breasts that were "ruining her life".

But Aurora Clinics, based at Baddow Hospital in West Hanningfield Road, stepped in to fund the £7,000 operation after reading her story in the Chronicle.

"I can now live a normal life without the horrendous pain and embarrassment of having such huge breasts," said the single mother and office worker.

Miss Mills went under the knife of renowned South African surgeon Garrick Georgeu at Baddow Hospital on November 25, making Miss Mills the latest to benefit from Aurora's community scheme launched this year.

After fully recovering from the surgery by the New Year, she hopes to be an E-cup. "I will forever be grateful to Baddow Hospital and Aurora Clinics for giving me my life back," said Miss Mills. "Without their help I couldn't see a way forward, I honestly thought I was going to be facing a life of excruciating pain and endless embarrassment.

"I'm over the moon to have been chosen for the Aurora Community Scheme, I can now look forward to being a normal mum for my beautiful children, to wearing the clothes I want to wear and to rebuilding my confidence."

Miss Mills, who suffers from arthritis of the spine, said her chest was so heavy she struggled to bathe her four-year-old daughter, push her on a swing or even sit down at times.

She was denied funding and stood in front of the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group Exceptional Cases Panel to argue her case in July, but was turned down as funding would "set a precedent".

In a whirlwind of frustration and anger she even considered taking her battle to the European Court of Human Rights as she said the decision robbed her of a chance at a normal life.

In the end, all she had to fund was the cost of the anaesthetist and external medical fees.

Mr Georgeu said: "After meeting and hearing about Kim's struggle over the last few years to get NHS-funded treatment, we all felt compelled to help her.

"The size of her bust was extreme and significantly affecting every aspect of her life, to the point that in her early 30s she has already developed changes within her spine caused by this excessive weight.

"We hope that this breast reduction surgery gives Kim a new lease on life, bringing about a positive change for her and her young family."

Free breast reduction op for Chelmsford mum Kim Mills after NHS refusal

New carpets and tables part of Greater Anglia train carriage revamp

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WORK has started on the refurbishment of train carriages on the Norwich to London line.

Monday (December 22) saw the start of Abellio Greater Anglia's programme to upgrade its intercity MkIII carriages at the company's depot in Norwich.

The revamp will see all of the train operator's MkIII fleet enhanced, with improvements throughout for both first class and standard carriages, including plug points, new LED lighting, new carpets, new tables, new seat covers, upgraded environmentally-friendly controlled emission toilets with new floors and new taps, re-painting of the carriage interior saloon and vestibule panels, walls and ceilings.

The exterior of all the carriages will also be repainted.

The first refurbished carriages are due to enter service in February, with the full programme timetabled for completion by October 2016.

The upgrade will also increase seating capacity.

Abellio Greater Anglia's managing director, Jamie Burles, said: "We are delighted to begin this major refresh for our MkIII carriages."

New carpets and tables part of Greater Anglia train carriage revamp

Calls for safety action on A131 after fatal crashes

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RESIDENTS living along the A131 High Garrett plan to sign a petition, or even build a makeshift sign, to improve safety precautions in their road.

Ingrid Payne and neighbours plan to meet after Christmas demanding extra measures from Essex County Council such as speed bumps or zebra crossings.

Only two weeks before Thursday's fatal crash, David Bradley, 30, James Simmons, 18, and 21-year-old Coz Powell, were killed in a two-car smash just one mile north on the A1017 Gosfield Road.

And in February, a Ford KA driver in her 20s, was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge and in a coma for three months after a collision involving a black Mercedes.

There were at least 21 collisions on the A131 High Garrett between 2005 and 2013, one of them fatal, and at least 13 on the A1017 between Braintree and Gosfield during the same period.

The county council has said it funds remedial works if at least four personal injury collisions happen within a five-year period in a 50-metre stretch.

Ingrid Payne said: "We all feel strongly about this and especially considering she is a neighbour and a teenage girl."

Ms Payne also raised £500 for Essex Air Ambulance by handing out buckets at her gym buddies meet-up at the Fennes Estate in Bocking on Saturday.

"It was an ideal opportunity to raise awareness," she said.

Braintree district councillor for Bocking North, Anthony Everard, who has been campaigning for greater road safety measures with fellow ward politician Cllr David Mann, wants remedial work on the A131 High Garrett where it meets Church Street.

Calls for safety action on A131 after fatal crashes

Woman's death in Galleywood is 'non-suspicious'

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The death of a woman discovered at a property in Galleywood is not being treated as suspicious by police.

The seriously ill victim, in her 50s, was found by police and paramedics in Arnold Way shortly after 10am yesterday (December 27), after an air ambulance was dispatched to the scene. 

Emergency services were at the house for several hours but the woman was subsequently declared dead.

An Essex Police spokesman said a file would now be prepared for the county coroner.

Woman's death in Galleywood is 'non-suspicious'


​Cheek hits four and West Ham striker nets as Chelmsford roar back at Staines

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Staines Town 3, Chelmsford City 5

(Vanarama Conference South)

FOUR goals from Michael Cheek and a super solo effort from West Ham loanee Jaanai Gordon completed a wonderful comeback for Chelmsford City at bottom side Staines Town.

City found themselves two goals down within 37 minutes, through strikes from Ashley Lodge and Elliott Charles, but a goal before the break from Cheek gave them hope.

He struck again with a superb volley to level matters seven minutes into the second half. Then Hammers striker Gordon scored a great solo goal to seal a wonderful comeback.

Things got even better though as Cheek tapped home a rebound from close range and then grabbed his fourth with a deflected effort.

The hosts hit a late third of their own through substitute Calum Willock late on.

City boss Mark Hawkes made just the one change to the side that lost 5-1 at home to Ebbsfleet United on Boxing Day with Joe Ward making way for Leon Redwood. His hope no doubt was for those players to be burning with the desire to make amends against the league's basement boys Staines.

Both sides showed early intent, with Mark Hughes and Michael Cheek sending tame headers towards goal in the opening exchanges.

The hosts looked bright in the final third and they duly opened the scoring on 21 minutes when Charles held the ball up well in the right channel and flicked it into the path of the onrushing Lodge, who took a touch and then drilled a low shot home in off the bottom of the left post.

Cheek carved out a chance to instantly level on the edge of the Town box seconds after the restart, but he was closed down and could only poke the ball towards the Staines goalkeeper Jack Turner.

The hosts' lead could have been doubled on 32 minutes when Romone Rose broke clear into the City half, but he snatched at his shot from the edge of the box and sent it well over Bradley Watkins' goal. He also injured himself in the process and was replaced by Danny Bassett.

Five minutes later Staines did increase their advantage when a blocked shot in the Chelmsford penalty area fell kindly for Charles to slot home off a sliding defender.

However, just 60 seconds later, the Clarets had a foothold back in the game when Cheek seized on to a loose ball, rounded Turner and slid the ball home from a tight angle.

Two chances fell to skipper Hughes as the half came to a close. First he drilled a shot just off target and then flicked on a free-kick in added time towards goal, but Turner clawed it out acrobatically.

Staines could have extended their advantage early in the second period when the dangerous Charles skipped down the left and crossed low into the box where the onrushing Joe Aribo volleyed past the right post.

The chances were that the league's bottom side would be nervy despite their lead and they found their advantage wiped out on 52 minutes. A great run to the byline by Rohdell Gordon ended with a perfect cross for Cheek to hook into the bottom right corner of the Staines net.

It was almost 3-2 to the visitors moments later as Hughes' shot was deflected towards goal by Cheek, but it was cleared off the goal line at the last second by a Town boot.

Yads Mambo pulled off a superb flying block of his own at the other end to deny Josh Ekim on the edge of the City box as he pulled the trigger.

On 66 minutes, Gordon took his chance to shine as he burst down the left and cut inside. With Cheek free in the centre he had to pass or make sure he scored, and after the ball bobbled at his feet briefly, he did the latter with an emphatic finish past Turner.

Five minutes later, it was 4-2 to the visitors. Lee Sawyer skipped into the box, but saw his shot blocked. It rebounded out for Redwood, whose low strike was parried by Turner for Cheek to seal his treble from two yards.

He added his fourth on 78 minutes, hitting a shot from the edge of the box that deflected up and over Turner off Staines' Justyn Roberts.

Young Clarets academy striker Jake Gordon came off the bench to replace Jaanai Gordon late on, for his second appearance of the season, with Nicky Nicolau soon coming on for the lively Rohdell Gordon.

Former Stevenage striker Willock came off the bench for the visitors and hit one goal back in the 90th minute as a late consolation as his deflected effort wrong-footed Watkins.

CHELMSFORD CITY: Watkins, Girdlestone, Toner, Hughes, Hickford, Mambo, Sawyer, Redwood, Jaanai Gordon (Jake Gordon 81), Cheek, R Gordon (Nicolau 83). Subs not used: Smith, Ward, Ekpiteta. Att: 320.

​Cheek hits four and West Ham striker nets as Chelmsford roar back at Staines

Missing AirAsia flight: British passenger 'is University of Essex graduate Chi Man Choi'

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A British national on board the missing Air Asia flight is reportedly a University of Essex graduate.

Chi Man Choi, who is believed to have been on the QZ8501 flight with his two-year-old daughter, were returning from Indonesia to Singapore with 162 others when the plane disappeared in the early hours of this morning (December 27).

Mr Choi is reportedly from Hull and was the managing director of an energy company in Indonesia.

There were 155 passengers, including 16 children and one baby, and seven crew members on the Airbus A320-200.

The plane lost contact with air traffic control while over the Java sea almost two hours after take off, at 06.24 local time (23.24 GMT) and vanished shortly afterwards. It had been scheduled to arrive at Chandi Airport in Sinagpore at 08.30GMT

But it requested a "deviation" from its planned flight path due to bad weather.

A search of the Java Sea is now under way, following reports that a wreckage had been sighted off the east coast of Samutra, hundreds of miles from where the plane was last seen.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We are aware of an incident regarding AirAsia flight QZ8501.

"Our thoughts are with the passengers' families as they await further news.

"We have been informed by the local authorities that one British national was on board.

"Their next of kin has been informed, and we stand ready to provide consular assistance."

Missing AirAsia flight: British passenger 'is University of Essex graduate Chi Man Choi'

Last minute bid to preserve Chelmsford's Marconi heritage

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COMMUNITY figures will make a last-ditch attempt to stop part of the world's first wireless factory falling into private hands.

Chelmsford city councillors gave planning permission to transform Marconi's Old Silk Mill in Hall Street into six flats on Tuesday last week.

But developer Arcady Architects has told Chelmsfordians desperately trying to preserve the city's proud wireless heritage that part of the ground floor could be used for community use, such as a museum and meeting room.

"This is a fantastic asset we have on our doorstep," said Transition Chelmsford member Simon Mouncey. "It's the last building that has not been converted and even though we might have lost the top floor, we haven't lost the whole building."

Radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi opened the two-storey former Courtauld silk mill as the world's first radio factory in 1898, two years after arriving from Italy.

Essex & Suffolk Water bought the building as the Marconi company demerged, but left in 2010, leaving it redundant.

Knight Developments bought the site and sold it to the new developer for an estimated £750,000 to be four flats upstairs, two down and associated parking.

The 1912 Marconi Factory in New Street is being converted into 418 homes and for commercial use.

A core team of about eight people, representing Marconi Heritage Group, Marconi Veterans Association, Transition Chelmsford, The Ideas Hub and Malcolm Noble from Chelmsford Civic Society and Changing Chelmsford, are readying themselves to prepare their bid, for about £500,000 to £1 million, from generous donators and businesses, ready for March. "You can draw a direct line between Marconi, started in that building, and the Rosetta space probe landing on a comet," added Mr Mouncey.

"None of that would be possible without Marconi, the wireless technology and being able to communicate without wires, it all started in that building.

"It's up to the community to help people realise that it all happened here on our own doorstep. The city council has done the opposite to make the city a sub-regional shopping centre."

City council cabinet member for planning and economic development Neil Gulliver said: "I am prepared to meet with any community group which wants to try and put a bid together, even if this doesn't become a celebration of Marconi specifically, but it would be nice for it to celebrate Chelmsford's radio history."

Last minute bid to preserve Chelmsford's Marconi heritage

Students deck the High Chelmer stalls with home made goods

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SELLING their wares to a captive market were enterprising Essex teenagers who descended on Chelmsford city centre.

After setting up eye-catching stands in High Chelmer shopping centre, the youngsters tried to sell their unique home-made products to passers-by.

They were all taking part in the Young Enterprise programme, in which teams of pupils aged 15 to 19 run their own company over the course of an academic year, supported by a volunteer business adviser.

This includes marketing and financing a product or service of their own choice and the annual Christmas Trade Fayre provides an ideal opportunity to sell their goods to the public.

At the same time they were being watched by judges who had a host of trophies to award at close of business.

These were presented by the deputy mayor of Chelmsford, Sandra Pontin.

Winning the best trade stand award was Transition, a team of students from Chelmsford County High School for Girls. They compiled a spiral-bound pocket-sized book, aimed at girls aged 10 to 11, packed with tips on issues they may face.

Finance director Sarina Mathew, 17, said: "We thought back to when we were that age, switching from primary to secondary school and wrote down a list of things we wished we had known then.

"The books have been selling well today, with parents and grandparents buying them for stocking fillers."

Selling their unique T-shirts – a morph caricature of Arnold Schwarzenegger and composer Bach with the slogan I'll be Bach – were the team known as Capitalized from The Boswells School in Springfield.

Student Molly Reid had designed the T-shirts, which the team had tied with a festive ribbon, priced £10.

Alex Roberston, 17, who was awarded the Judges' Award for his marketing strategy knowledge, explained: "We chose T-shirts as they are popular and easy to manufacture.

Selling a host of handmade gifts and Christmas decorations were a team of pupils from Thriftwood School in Galleywood. Known as Acorn Enterprises, the members were keenly promoting their wooden Christmas bunting, personalised pictures frames, owl doorstops and sweet stocking fillers.

They scooped the runners-up prize for the best team programme.

The Best Overall Company prize went to Puzzles Bytes from King Edward VI Grammar School, for their innovative and colourful puzzle books aimed at pre-schoolers.

Patrick Johnson, 16, said: "The idea is to help children learn the alphabet by colouring in blocks which are arranged to form each letter.

"We have also included a different animal whose name starts with that letter on each page. The aim is that children are having fun and learning at the same time.

In April the students will be able to compete for the County Company of the Year title and the winners will go on to represent Essex at the regional finals, who in turn will compete for the UK title.

Students deck the High Chelmer stalls with home made goods

City Link staff in Chelmsford 'to be made redundant on New Year's Eve'

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Workers at the collapsed City Link parcel delivery service face losing their jobs on New Year's Eve, according to the RMT union.

Staff at the firm, which employed 48 people at a depot close in the Dukes Way industrial estate close to Chelmer Village, were told on Christmas Day they had gone into administration.

Administrators Ernst & Young, which held meetings with union officials, confirmed substantial redundancies were expected over the next few days.

People waiting on orders are now being advised to pick up their parcels from the depot themselves.

Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary, said 2,000 staff will be made redundant on New Year's Eve

"It is crystal clear from today's meeting that there has been a truly horrific catalogue of mismanagement at City Link and that staff and their union have been starved of basic information while a plot was hatched to publicly collapse the business on Boxing Day when in fact it was already declared insolvent," he said.

"What a despicable and callous ‎manipulation of thousands of workers and their livelihoods over Christmas as the venture capitalists cut and run leaving a trail of chaos and misery in their wake.

"Vince Cable has said he will meet us in the New Year. Clearly that is too late and the business will have been smashed to pieces by then as the asset strippers hover like vultures over the corpse. 

Ernst and Young said City Link had racked up a series of losses over the years and did not have the cash to turn the business around.

The firm is now looking at expressions of interest for different sections of the company.

City Link staff in Chelmsford 'to be made redundant on New Year's Eve'

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