Our live coverage for Essex has reached its day's end. As a quick recap, the main stories of the day have included:
A homeless man is guilty of the manslaughter 57-year-old Kathleen Griffin, from Clacton
Southend Pier is likely to be out of action for a week because of problems with pile caps
A family's call for a law change over the taking of photos in funeral homes
A Leigh-on-Sea restaurant will have to pay £60k for health and safety breaches
Essex's new police and crime commissioner is to spend £100k on tackling gang crime
We'll be back tomorrow morning from 08:00 with the latest news for the county.
In the meantime, have a great evening.
Heading into a 'fine, warm and sunny' evening
Julie Reinger
BBC Look East weather
Tonight will be dry with lows of 10C (50F).
BBCCopyright: BBC
Friday will be cloudier but still warm with sunny spells. Temperatures inland could reach 21C (70F), but cooler on the coast with an onshore breeze.
Bowler Matt Quinn 'fully focussed on Essex'
Ben Fryer
BBC Essex sport
International ambitions are firmly on the back-burner for Essex bowler Matt Quinn.
BBCCopyright: BBC
The New Zealander's made an impressive start to his county cricket career, but is putting all international talk to one side.
"I’m fully focused on playing for Essex," he said.
Colchester United looking to line up Massey replacement
Ben Fryer
BBC Essex sport
Colchester United are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season, and it appears they are already lining up a replacement for Gavin Massey who was sold to Leyton Orient yesterday.
The U's are being linked with Jamille Matt (pictured below), a striker who has recently left League One Fleetwood.
However, they're likely to face stiff competition from Plymouth, who Matt played on-loan for at the end of last season.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Family's law change hope over funeral home photos
The family of a man from Grays who died last year are hoping to change the law to stop photographs being taken in funeral homes, after a picture of a friend posing with the body was posted online.
Michael Dene Ray, 21, took his own life last December.
His sister Charlie-Anne Semple says they want it to be against the law to take pictures in a funeral home.
Video content
Video caption: Family hopes to change law to stop photos being taken in funeral homesFamily hopes to change law to stop photos being taken in funeral homes
The National Association of Funeral Directors said it was an issue that had never been raised before.
A spokesman said: "Funeral directors will always try to meet every request of each family in their care, to help spare them any additional distress.
"However, it would be very difficult to enforce a formal ban as funeral directors traditionally leave the room quietly, to allow family and friends to grieve in private.
"Almost everyone has a smartphone so it would not be possible to remove the opportunity for someone to take a photo."
Southend Pier could be closed for a week
Robby West
BBC Essex
Southend Pier could be closed for a week after cracks were found in supporting parts.
The cause of the damage isn't known, although it is thought recent bad weather may be to blame.
Southend United manager Phil Brown has been given a four-match touchline ban by the Football Association for misconduct.
Brown was charged by the FA following the Shrimpers' 3-2 loss at Bury on 8 May - the last day of the League One season.
He was also fined £3,000 after admitting four breaches, while a fifth was found proven by an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Wednesday.
The misconduct charges stated that from the third minute of injury time through until half-an-hour after the match had finished, Brown's language and/or behaviour was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper on five separate occasions.
We've just heard Southend Pier has been closed this afternoon after engineers found a number of pile caps in its structure had cracked.
They're the timber or concrete posts driven into the soft ground to provide stable foundations for the pier.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Trains have been stopped as they could "result in further damage" when they pass overhead, Southend councillor Ian Gilbert said.
Repairing the damage, which seems to have "deteriorated relatively quickly since recent surveys", could take up to a week.
Ed Sheeran 'not commenting on litigation'
Richard Haugh
BBC News
We reported earlier how Martin Harrington and American Thomas Leonard are suing Suffolk singer Ed Sheeran for $20m (£13.8m) over his single Photograph, claiming it has a similar structure to their song, Amazing, written for Essex's Matt Cardle.
We've heard back from a representative for Sheeran, and been told no comment will be made on the litigation.
Restaurant owner 'did not take action' to comply with hygiene rules
Southend Council prosecuted the owner of Old Vienna after asking him to address serious issues with hygiene and food preparation, which he failed to do.
Southend CouncilCopyright: Southend Council
Southend CouncilCopyright: Southend Council
The photos above show some of the things inspectors found, which included a pork roll and party food left out uncovered all afternoon to be re-served in the evening, and a fly sitting on a mince pie which was left out all afternoon.
In December, the restaurant got a food hygiene rating of zero out of five. Owner Walter Haiser and his company were fined £59,951 after admitting offences at Southend Magistrates' Court.
Old Vienna restaurant owner fined almost £60k
Be warned - these might not be the best photos to look at if you're about to tuck into an afternoon snack...
The owner of Leigh-on-Sea restaurant Old Vienna has been ordered to pay almost £60,000 in fines and costs after admitting various health and safety offences.
As first reported in The Echo, health inspectors found collapsed ceilings, filthy floors and food left out uncovered for hours when they visited the Eastwood Road premises.
Owner Walter Haiser, 76, of Woodlands Park in Leigh, pleaded guilty to 13 offences, along with another 13 against his company Friern Leasing Ltd.
Below you can see cooked turkey found inside a dirty oven, and an area of kitchen floor peeling back which was covered in dirt.
Southend CouncilCopyright: Southend Council
Southend CouncilCopyright: Southend Council
Snooker's Stuart Bingham says season was 'disappointing'
Basildon's former Snooker World Champion Stuart Bingham said he wants to bounce back from a disappointing season by winning a tournament in the next 12 months.
He's already qualified for three tournaments, starting with the Riga Masters later this month.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Quote Message: It was pretty disappointing even though I got to three or four semi-finals and a final... I always try to win a tournament in a season." from Stuart Bingham Snooker player
It was pretty disappointing even though I got to three or four semi-finals and a final... I always try to win a tournament in a season."
Hilling to be treated in secure mental health facility
During Wednesday's proceedings, Chelmsford Crown Court judge Charles Gratwicke decided Hilling's original admission of manslaughter by diminished responsibility should be accepted, and his trial for murder stopped.
Essex PoliceCopyright: Essex Police
After the sentencing, the Crown Prosecution Service issued a statement saying it respected his decision.
The judge also made an order under the Mental Health Act, which means he will be treated in a specialist unit "before or if" he is transferred to a prison to complete the remainder of his sentence.
Clacton grandmother taken in 'cruel and evil way'
Kathleen Griffin's family said she was a "wonderful mother, grandmother and sister" who had been taken from her family "in the most cruel and evil way imaginable".
Essex PoliceCopyright: Essex Police
She had taken in Scott Hilling, who had nowhere to live on release from prison for theft last September.
Her family said she was "generous to all she met" and had "a heart like a diamond".
Homeless man sentenced for 'sickening and brutal killing'
During his trial, Chelmsford Crown Court heard Scott Hilling stopped to watch TV in between torturing and stabbing 57-year-old Kathleen Griffin at her home in Clacton.
Essex PoliceCopyright: Essex Police
His trial for murder was stopped by the judge on the basis the prosecution had not called psychiatric evidence to counter evidence from two defence experts.
Jailing Hilling for 16 years for manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, which Hilling admitted, judge Charles Gratwicke said the stabbing was a "sickening and brutal killing of a defenceless woman".
BreakingScott Hilling jailed over Clacton grandmother killing
A homeless man who stabbed a 57-year-old grandmother to death in her home last December has been jailed for 16 years.
Scott Hilling, 26, had denied murder but admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
A judge at Chelmsford Crown Court stopped the murder trial and sentenced Hilling for manslaughter.
It will be a fine, warm and sunny afternoon with any residual low cloud from the morning soon clearing.
It will stay cooler in Clacton and other coastal places, though even there you'll get plenty of sunshine later.
Highs of 20C, that's 68F. Check the latest forecast for where you live here.
Headlines: Photos released of Ali Qazimaj's car... Ed Sheeran being sued by Matt Cardle's songwriters
Here's a quick recap of what we've been covering on our live page today:
Police investigating the disappearance of Sylvia Stuart and the murder of her husband Peter have released photos of a car used by Ali Qazimaj from Tilbury, who is wanted in connection with the crimes
Ladi Benson, who was stabbed to death in Chelmsford last year, would have become a father again within weeks had he lived, police say
Ed Sheeran is being sued by the writers of a song released in 2012 by former X Factor winner Matt Cardle, who's from Halstead
Restaurant and 'community space' to be built at Shire Hall in Chelmsford
One of Chelmsford's best-known buildings - which has been empty for more than two years - is to be brought back into use with a new restaurant and "community space".
BBCCopyright: BBC
Shire Hall, which is Grade II-listed, will be redeveloped by the company that's been working on the new John Lewis development in the city.
The leader of Essex County Council, David Finch, said the building refurbishment would form part of the "ongoing regeneration of that end of the High Street".
Live Reporting
Jodie Smith
All times stated are UK
Get involved
- A homeless man is guilty of the manslaughter 57-year-old Kathleen Griffin, from Clacton
- Southend Pier is likely to be out of action for a week because of problems with pile caps
- A family's call for a law change over the taking of photos in funeral homes
- A Leigh-on-Sea restaurant will have to pay £60k for health and safety breaches
- Essex's new police and crime commissioner is to spend £100k on tackling gang crime
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images Video caption: Family hopes to change law to stop photos being taken in funeral homesFamily hopes to change law to stop photos being taken in funeral homes 
View more on twitterView more on twitter 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
Essex PoliceCopyright: Essex Police 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
Southend CouncilCopyright: Southend Council 
Southend CouncilCopyright: Southend Council 
Southend CouncilCopyright: Southend Council 
Southend CouncilCopyright: Southend Council 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
Essex PoliceCopyright: Essex Police 
Essex PoliceCopyright: Essex Police 
Essex PoliceCopyright: Essex Police 
- Police investigating the disappearance of Sylvia Stuart and the murder of her husband Peter have released photos of a car used by Ali Qazimaj from Tilbury, who is wanted in connection with the crimes
- Ladi Benson, who was stabbed to death in Chelmsford last year, would have become a father again within weeks had he lived, police say
- Ed Sheeran is being sued by the writers of a song released in 2012 by former X Factor winner Matt Cardle, who's from Halstead
BBCCopyright: BBC
Latest PostSo then, that's it for today!
Our live coverage for Essex has reached its day's end. As a quick recap, the main stories of the day have included:
We'll be back tomorrow morning from 08:00 with the latest news for the county.
In the meantime, have a great evening.
Heading into a 'fine, warm and sunny' evening
Julie Reinger
BBC Look East weather
Tonight will be dry with lows of 10C (50F).
Friday will be cloudier but still warm with sunny spells. Temperatures inland could reach 21C (70F), but cooler on the coast with an onshore breeze.
Bowler Matt Quinn 'fully focussed on Essex'
Ben Fryer
BBC Essex sport
International ambitions are firmly on the back-burner for Essex bowler Matt Quinn.
The New Zealander's made an impressive start to his county cricket career, but is putting all international talk to one side.
"I’m fully focused on playing for Essex," he said.
Colchester United looking to line up Massey replacement
Ben Fryer
BBC Essex sport
Colchester United are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season, and it appears they are already lining up a replacement for Gavin Massey who was sold to Leyton Orient yesterday.
The U's are being linked with Jamille Matt (pictured below), a striker who has recently left League One Fleetwood.
However, they're likely to face stiff competition from Plymouth, who Matt played on-loan for at the end of last season.
Family's law change hope over funeral home photos
The family of a man from Grays who died last year are hoping to change the law to stop photographs being taken in funeral homes, after a picture of a friend posing with the body was posted online.
Michael Dene Ray, 21, took his own life last December.
His sister Charlie-Anne Semple says they want it to be against the law to take pictures in a funeral home.
Video content
The National Association of Funeral Directors said it was an issue that had never been raised before.
A spokesman said: "Funeral directors will always try to meet every request of each family in their care, to help spare them any additional distress.
"However, it would be very difficult to enforce a formal ban as funeral directors traditionally leave the room quietly, to allow family and friends to grieve in private.
"Almost everyone has a smartphone so it would not be possible to remove the opportunity for someone to take a photo."
Southend Pier could be closed for a week
Robby West
BBC Essex
Southend Pier could be closed for a week after cracks were found in supporting parts.
The cause of the damage isn't known, although it is thought recent bad weather may be to blame.
Southend boss Brown given touchline ban
Southend United manager Phil Brown has been given a four-match touchline ban by the Football Association for misconduct.
Brown was charged by the FA following the Shrimpers' 3-2 loss at Bury on 8 May - the last day of the League One season.
He was also fined £3,000 after admitting four breaches, while a fifth was found proven by an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Wednesday.
The misconduct charges stated that from the third minute of injury time through until half-an-hour after the match had finished, Brown's language and/or behaviour was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper on five separate occasions.
Southend boss Brown given touchline ban
Southend United manager Phil Brown is given a four-match touchline ban by the Football Association for misconduct.
Read moreFull story: Grandmother killer jailed for 16 years
As we mentioned earlier, a killer who tortured and then stabbed a grandmother to death in her own home has been jailed today for 16 years.
Kathleen Griffin, 57, died at her flat in Clacton in December after being stabbed 14 times in her neck, chest, abdomen and back.
Scott Hilling, 26, who admitted her manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court.
You can read the full story here.
Grandmother killer jailed for 16 years
A killer who tortured and then stabbed a grandmother to death in her own home is jailed for 16 years.
Read moreSouthend Pier closed after structure cracks found
We've just heard Southend Pier has been closed this afternoon after engineers found a number of pile caps in its structure had cracked.
They're the timber or concrete posts driven into the soft ground to provide stable foundations for the pier.
Trains have been stopped as they could "result in further damage" when they pass overhead, Southend councillor Ian Gilbert said.
Repairing the damage, which seems to have "deteriorated relatively quickly since recent surveys", could take up to a week.
Ed Sheeran 'not commenting on litigation'
Richard Haugh
BBC News
We reported earlier how Martin Harrington and American Thomas Leonard are suing Suffolk singer Ed Sheeran for $20m (£13.8m) over his single Photograph, claiming it has a similar structure to their song, Amazing, written for Essex's Matt Cardle.
We've heard back from a representative for Sheeran, and been told no comment will be made on the litigation.
Restaurant owner 'did not take action' to comply with hygiene rules
Southend Council prosecuted the owner of Old Vienna after asking him to address serious issues with hygiene and food preparation, which he failed to do.
The photos above show some of the things inspectors found, which included a pork roll and party food left out uncovered all afternoon to be re-served in the evening, and a fly sitting on a mince pie which was left out all afternoon.
In December, the restaurant got a food hygiene rating of zero out of five. Owner Walter Haiser and his company were fined £59,951 after admitting offences at Southend Magistrates' Court.
Old Vienna restaurant owner fined almost £60k
Be warned - these might not be the best photos to look at if you're about to tuck into an afternoon snack...
The owner of Leigh-on-Sea restaurant Old Vienna has been ordered to pay almost £60,000 in fines and costs after admitting various health and safety offences.
As first reported in The Echo, health inspectors found collapsed ceilings, filthy floors and food left out uncovered for hours when they visited the Eastwood Road premises.
Owner Walter Haiser, 76, of Woodlands Park in Leigh, pleaded guilty to 13 offences, along with another 13 against his company Friern Leasing Ltd.
Below you can see cooked turkey found inside a dirty oven, and an area of kitchen floor peeling back which was covered in dirt.
Snooker's Stuart Bingham says season was 'disappointing'
Basildon's former Snooker World Champion Stuart Bingham said he wants to bounce back from a disappointing season by winning a tournament in the next 12 months.
He's already qualified for three tournaments, starting with the Riga Masters later this month.
Hilling to be treated in secure mental health facility
During Wednesday's proceedings, Chelmsford Crown Court judge Charles Gratwicke decided Hilling's original admission of manslaughter by diminished responsibility should be accepted, and his trial for murder stopped.
After the sentencing, the Crown Prosecution Service issued a statement saying it respected his decision.
The judge also made an order under the Mental Health Act, which means he will be treated in a specialist unit "before or if" he is transferred to a prison to complete the remainder of his sentence.
Clacton grandmother taken in 'cruel and evil way'
Kathleen Griffin's family said she was a "wonderful mother, grandmother and sister" who had been taken from her family "in the most cruel and evil way imaginable".
She had taken in Scott Hilling, who had nowhere to live on release from prison for theft last September.
Her family said she was "generous to all she met" and had "a heart like a diamond".
Homeless man sentenced for 'sickening and brutal killing'
During his trial, Chelmsford Crown Court heard Scott Hilling stopped to watch TV in between torturing and stabbing 57-year-old Kathleen Griffin at her home in Clacton.
His trial for murder was stopped by the judge on the basis the prosecution had not called psychiatric evidence to counter evidence from two defence experts.
Jailing Hilling for 16 years for manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, which Hilling admitted, judge Charles Gratwicke said the stabbing was a "sickening and brutal killing of a defenceless woman".
BreakingScott Hilling jailed over Clacton grandmother killing
A homeless man who stabbed a 57-year-old grandmother to death in her home last December has been jailed for 16 years.
Scott Hilling, 26, had denied murder but admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
A judge at Chelmsford Crown Court stopped the murder trial and sentenced Hilling for manslaughter.
More to follow.
Weather: Fine, warm and sunny afternoon
BBC Weather
It will be a fine, warm and sunny afternoon with any residual low cloud from the morning soon clearing.
It will stay cooler in Clacton and other coastal places, though even there you'll get plenty of sunshine later.
Highs of 20C, that's 68F. Check the latest forecast for where you live here.
Headlines: Photos released of Ali Qazimaj's car... Ed Sheeran being sued by Matt Cardle's songwriters
Here's a quick recap of what we've been covering on our live page today:
Restaurant and 'community space' to be built at Shire Hall in Chelmsford
One of Chelmsford's best-known buildings - which has been empty for more than two years - is to be brought back into use with a new restaurant and "community space".
Shire Hall, which is Grade II-listed, will be redeveloped by the company that's been working on the new John Lewis development in the city.
The leader of Essex County Council, David Finch, said the building refurbishment would form part of the "ongoing regeneration of that end of the High Street".