FIREFIGHTERS wearing breathing apparatus entered a smoke-filled Thurrock flat on Friday evening after being told someone might be inside. Two crews from Grays were called just after 6pm to Lewes Close in the town where smoke was seen issuing from a
A THREE car pile up brought rush hour gridlock to the Thurrock section of the M25. The smash occurred at Junction 31 of the motorway near to the Thurrock Services, early on Friday evening. Two fire crews from Grays and one from Orsett used specialist
AN illegal immigrant and his partner who lived in a luxurious Thurrock home were jailed today after funding a £4 million property empire with a "breathtakingly" massive benefit fraud. Saheed Ladega, 38, who had already been deported once, teamed up
A THURROCK woman accused of a frenzied hammer attack has told of missing minutes of memory after she entered her neighbour's house. Giving evidence at Basildon Crown Court, Debbie White told how she drank a bottle of wine before going to the Cross
GRAYS welcome Cambridge United to the New Rec knowing that their recent record against the top flight teams has been very impressive. Justin Edinburgh's men have taken the opportunity to out-think Aldershot and overwhelm Forest Green Rovers. Granted
A LEADING Thurrock campaigner for the protection of vulnerable people has called for a major inquiry into borough's care homes. Director of Thurrock Disability Network, John Williams, has made the appeal after a detailed investigation by the Gazette
DISABILITY Network Director John Williams has warned that change is needed to bring the borough's care homes up to the expected standard - and the watchdog organisation needs sharper teeth. He said: "Many of the homes are reactive, only improving when
GAZETTE reporter Michael Casey says he has been shocked by his investigation, saying: "There is a great likelihood that many reading this feature will one day become part of the group we call the vulnerable. "100,000 people every year sell their homes
THE husband of one of the women suspended pending a police inquiry at the care home at 51-53 Mollands Lane has spoken to the Gazette of the pressure his wife is under. The man, who did not want to be named, said: "The last six months has been a living
ONE of the Commission for Social Care Inspectorate's major concerns is that many homes cannot produce evidence that staff have been checked with the Criminal Records Bureau. Family Mosiac's Trudi Tayeg explained that it was something that was very
NOT-for-profit London-based housing association Family Mosaic operates several homes in Thurrock through subsidiary companies. Local manager Trudi Tayeg invited reporter Michael Casey to their home in Wharf Close, Stanford-le-Hope to discuss many of
IN 1979, only 16 per cent of residential care homes were run by the for-profit sector. In 2008 in Thurrock, 27 of the 28 homes in the borough are in private hands. Thurrock Council now has only one care home in the borough, Collins House, Corringham
HADLEIGH-based Runwood Homes run three care homes in the borough - Bennetts Lodge and Carolyne Lodge in Chadwell St Mary and Leatherland Lodge in South Ockendon. The company operates 34 homes and day centres across Essex and Hertfordshire. Its chairman
A NURSE told how she noticed bruises on face of a toddler as she tried to resuscitate her. Roberta Mansfield, a nursing sister at Basildon Hospital, said Aimee Collins was not breathing and had no heart rate when she arrived at the hospital on December
A LEADING Thurrock campaigner for the protection of vulnerable people has called for a major inquiry into borough's care homes. Director of Thurrock Disability Network, John Williams, has made the appeal after a detailed investigation by the Gazette
A PENSIONER from Thurrock died of an industrial disease, an inquest heard. Chelmsford Coroner's Court heard that Thomas George, 67, of Gardner Avenue, Corringham, died on October 18 2007. He had been admitted to Basildon Hospital two days earlier
A TEENAGER has returned to Thurrock to announce he is proud to be a villain. Former Grays School pupil Richard James Harris, 19, will appear in the Bill as villain Joel Pearce during episodes on January 31 and February 6. He said: "It was a great
TWO giant dogs have produced a monster litter. When dog breeders Valda and Paul Walsh realised their massive pedigree French mastiff Echo was pregnant, they thought she would produce seven or eight pups. So they were amazed when she delivered a
GRAYS Athletic have signed MK Dons striker, Scott Taylor, until the end of the season. Taylor has a wealth of experience and has been at several clubs since starting his career at Staines Town. On his journey he has played for Plymouth, Blackpool
THURROCK travel to the Sussex coast on Saturday for their second Blue Square South fixture of the season with Bognor Regis Town. When Rocks visited Ship Lane September a last minute goal from David Bryant, his first for the club saw Thurock to all
A WOMAN was trapped in her vehicle after her car overturned on the A13 at 7am this morning (Friday) near to the turn for the Dartford Crossing. Fire crews using specialist cutting equipment freed the woman. She was placed in the care of the ambulance
LOCAL family history expert Meryl Catty will be on hand to give advice at a Family History Quest' day on Saturday, February 9 at the Thameside Complex, Orsett Road, Grays from 10am to 4pm. "Thurrock libraries has a wide range of books and electronic
