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Live Reporting

Jodie Smith

All times stated are UK

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  1. Our live coverage across the day

    Nic Rigby

    BBC News

    Thanks for following our updates today. We'll be back tomorrow at 08:00 with more news, travel and sport from across the county.

    Have a great evening.

  2. Weather: Staying dry during the evening

    Alex Dolan

    BBC Look East weather

    It will be staying dry during the evening with light winds to give a slight frost in places. Lows of 6C (43F).

    Weather graphic

    Tomorrow will be mainly fine, however early cloud cover in Eastern parts may produce the odd spot of rain. Many areas should then see some limited sunny spells before it becomes generally cloudy later, with highs of 12C (54F).  

  3. Father who shook baby loses sentence appeal

    Nic Rigby

    BBC News

    A father who shook his own three-month-old son - causing the baby's brain to bleed - has been told by appeal court judges he was fortunate to be jailed for only three years.

    Matthew Challis

    Matthew Challis, 34, of Bishop's Stortford, denied hurting his son, but was jailed at Chelmsford Crown Court in June after being found guilty of causing the child serious harm.

    Today, appeal court judges in London threw out his challenge that his sentence was "too long".

  4. Man arrested after woman raped in Basildon

    Nic Rigby

    BBC News

    A man has been arrested on suspicion of raping a woman at a nightclub at the Festival Leisure Park in Basildon.

    The 26-year-old was arrested when he attended Rayleigh police station this morning.

    The man from Romford, north London, has been released on police bail pending further enquiries until 26 June.

  5. Essex candidate rows with deputy PCC

    Nic Rigby

    BBC News

    One of the people hoping to be the next Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Essex has put in a formal complaint against the current deputy following a row in the street. 

    Police

    Independent candidate Martin Terry says deputy PCC Lindsay Whitehouse approached him while campaigning in Chelmsford and said he couldn't use the phrase "Safe Essex" as it resembled one already used by Essex Police.

    He says Mr Whitehouse was "rude" and "bullying". Mr Whitehouse disputes this, and says as well as the slogan, Mr Terry was wearing a hi-vis jacket with what looked like an Essex Police logo. He maintains this was misleading the public, and he had every right to challenge him.

  6. Headlines: Murdered pregnant woman's friend calls for unborn baby law change... Man arrested over nightclub rape

    Nick Alliker

    BBC Essex

    The headlines this evening: 

    • The friend of a pregnant Essex woman, murdered by an ex-partner, says the law needs to change to better protect unborn babies
    • Essex Police is increasing its presence at Stansted Airport following the terror attacks at Brussels
    • Police say a 26-year-old man has been questioned on suspicion of rape following the assault of a woman inside a Basildon nightclub
  7. Wanted: 6ft 3ins man suspected of breaching harassment order

    Andrew Woodger

    BBC News

    Essex Police have issued an appeal as they try and trace a man suspected of breaching a harassment order.

    Martin Omorogbe

    Martin Omorogbe, 33, from the Tendring area, is believed to be in Croydon, south London.

    Police said he is black, 6ft 3ins tall, of stocky build with cropped dark brown hair and a beard.

  8. Woman dies in road crash in Harlow

    Nic Rigby

    BBC News

    A woman has died after a crash in Abercrombie Way, Harlow, on Monday afternoon.

    Abercrombie Way, Harlow

    The woman, in her 50s, was driving a blue Fiat Scudo which hit a tree. 

    She was taken to hospital but died an hour later. Officers are investigating the circumstances leading up to the crash. 

  9. Tributes paid to Nina Clarke, head girl of St Thomas More School, who died age 18

    Basildon Echo

    The head girl of a Westcliff school has died, aged 18. Nina Clarke, of St Thomas More School's sixth form, passed away following a "very rare and serious" complication after she suddenly fell ill.

  10. Convicted rapist sought by police

    A convicted rapist who absconded from Southend Crown Court while a jury was considering other charges against him is being sought by police.

    Adrian Horwat

    Adrian Horwat, 21, of Southend, Essex, fled from the court last week before the jury was able to return verdicts on four other matters which he was then later found not guilty of.

    Anyone who has any information is asked to call Essex Police.

  11. Essex businessman working in Brussels describes an 'on edge' city

    Andrew Woodger

    BBC News

    An Essex businessman working in Brussels says the city has been "on edge" since the Paris attacks in November.

    Brussels explosions 22 March 2016

    It is confirmed that 31 people have been killed in three explosions in the Belgian capital today.

    Graham Mayes, from Shenfield, said: "All my problems about how I'm going to get back to the UK at the end of the week just pale into insignificance and my thoughts go out to the families of the [victims]."

  12. Colchester United's Sammie Szmodics fitness hopes

    BBC Sport

    Colchester United physio Tony Flynn is hoping U's youngster Sammie Szmodics will be fully fit by the start of next season.

    Sammie Szmodics

    It was announced yesterday that the 20-year-old would miss the remainder of this year's campaign due to a foot injury. 

    He's currently recovering from an ankle operation.

  13. Man questioned after Southend stabbing

    Sonia Watson

    BBC Essex

    A 43-year-old man is being questioned this afternoon following a stabbing in Southend.

    Police say they were called to reports of a man being injured at a property in York Road in the town yesterday evening. 

    He was treated at Southend Hospital and later released. The arrested man is being held on suspicion of assault. 

  14. Essex businessman says Brussels locals are 'frustrated'

    Andrew Woodger

    BBC News

    Graham Mayes, from Shenfield, is working in the Belgian capital and says there is a "lot of anger" from local people.

    Brussels

    At least 31 people have been killed in three explosions at Zaventem Airport and Maelbeek metro station.

    Mr Mayes said: "There's a lot of anger in terms of the targets...and frustration that it was allowed to happen and no-one had a clue."

  15. Businessman in Brussels talks of 'lock down'

    Andrew Woodger

    BBC News

    An Essex businessman has spoken of Brussels being a city in "lock-down" after the explosions this morning.

    Graham Mayes, from Shenfield, is working in the Belgian capital where dozens of people have been killed at Zaventem Airport and Maelbeek metro station.

    He said: "People are just mouth-open, taking it all in. It reminded me of being back in London in 2005 and hearing each piece of news emerging."

  16. MEP describes Brussels attack from locked-down EU parliament

    Kate Williams

    BBC Local Live

    East of England MEP Richard Howitt has described how he narrowly avoided an explosion in Brussels.

    Video content

    Video caption: MEP Richard Howitt says he narrowly avoided being caught up in Brussels attack.

    Mr Howitt heard the news that Maelbeek metro station in the city had been bombed during a morning meeting with the European Parliament, just minutes after he had used the station to get to work. 

    He said he had only just called his family from the same underground station to tell them he was safe after the earlier bombing at Zaventem Airport. 

    You can follow the latest updates on the attacks here.    

  17. Police patrols increased across East after Brussels attacks

    Dani Bailey

    BBC Local Live

    Police across the East have increased patrols at airports and train stations following this morning's attacks in Brussels.

    Brussels explosion graphic

    The East Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit say although there is "no specific intelligence to suggest a similar attack is planned in this country", they are increasing patrols to reassure the public.

    “The threat to the UK from international terrorism remains at severe as it has been since August 2014, meaning an attack is highly likely," Asst Ch Con Jeff Hill said. 

  18. Weather: Staying dry, feeling pleasant in the sunshine

    BBC Weather

    This afternoon is set to stay dry with some cloud around, feeling pleasant in the sunshine with light winds. 

    Tuesday weather

    Later on, it will remain dry with clear spells, allowing temperatures to fall away.

    Overnight lows of 4C, that's 39F. Check the latest forecast for your part of Essex here.

  19. Headlines: Factory worker jailed for life over ex-girlfriend murder... Police presence increased at Stansted

    Nick Alliker

    BBC Essex

    Here are the stories we're covering this afternoon:

    • An Essex factory worker who murdered his pregnant ex-partner in Burnham-on-Crouch last year has been jailed for life
    • Essex Police is increasing its presence at Stansted Airport following the terror attacks in Brussels
    • A 43-year-old man is being questioned this afternoon following a stabbing in Southend
  20. Ambulance staff injured in Thundersley road crash

    Jodie Smith

    BBC News

    The East of England Ambulance Service says two of its staff members were taken to hospital after one of its vehicles crashed in Thundersley earlier today.

    Two crews and an ambulance officer were sent to help the crew involved in the collision, which happened just before 10:00 this morning.

    Four people were taken to hospital with minor injuries, including two ambulance staff.