Family and friends flanked Frank Falconer as he walked free from the court after what he described as ‘six months of hell.”

Mr Falconer, 30, Spindles, Tilbury was accused of indecently exposing himself on two occasions: The first charge specifically related to an offence on July 10th last year on Brennan Road, Tilbury which was allegedly witnessed by four Tilbury teenage girls.

The second charge was somewhat vague: the date of the offence was between the 30th May and 1st July last year and the location of the offence was given as “Tilbury”.

The court heard from all four teenage witnesses, who cannot be named for legal reasons, who gave evidence from behind a screen.

All four claimed to have seen Mr Falconer drive up close to them on the evening of the 10th July and expose himself whilst still in the vehicle.

One witness, described the incident in great detail; she noted down the registration number of the car on her phone and then, once home, wrote it on a piece of paper. However, this witness and two of the others, was not able to point out Mr Falconer in an identification parade. Indeed, two of the witnesses, pointed out different men entirely.

The court heard that single parent Mr Falconer had no previous convictions and a highly commended work record going over fifteen years.

He had just suffered a heartbreaking loss after his partner suffered a miscarriage on the 1st July.

On the evening in question, the family lit a chinese lantern in memory of their lost one. His partner, Clare Brown, giving evidence, produced a photo of the lantern, which had a time and date of 2133hrs 10/7/11.

Giving evidence, a pregnant Ms Brown admitted to the court that there was a lot of “bad blood” between her and “The Fry family”. They all socialised or had socialised at the Irish club in Dock Road and there had been a number of disagreements. The court also heard that a number of the teenage witnesses were connected to the Fry family.

In summing up, defending solicitor, Mr Bass compared the evidence of the four teenagers and called it “a troubling set of circumstances.” as well as one witnesses: “telling body language.”

There were cheers from the gallery as chair of magistrates Mrs Evans returned a verdict of not guilty to both charges.

Speaking outside the court, Mr Falconer said: “I am very relieved, It has been six months of hell but now we can all get on with the rest of our lives.”

In January, police received 103 reports of theft from motor vehicles, compared to 76 in December 2011, showing a 35.5 per cent rise in offences. There were also 35 vehicles stolen in December, as well as 35 stolen in January.

Police have launched Operation Waring, in Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham where there were 13 reports of break-ins in January, which will see officers carrying out patrols at key times of the day to prevent further break-ins. Stop checks will also be carried out to ensure that anyone visiting the area is doing so for a lawful purpose, and not to commit car crime.

Officers across the whole district will also be carrying out patrols and educating car owners if they spot a vulnerable vehicle.

In one of the most recent incidents in Daiglen Drive, South Ockendon, index plates from a Ford Focus were stolen between 5.30pm and 10.30pm on January 31. They were worth £30.

In one of the more unusual thefts, two Jaguars parked in Chestnut Avenue, Grays had their chrome radiator grills stolen between 6pm on January 29 and 10am the next day. They are worth approximately £500 each.

Sgt Marc Jordan, from the Thurrock East neighbourhood policing team, said: “There has been a real variety of offences reported across the whole of the area. We are taking hold of the situation, but we are also asking the public to help us by ensuring they remove all items of value such as sat nav’s, lose change and stereo fascia’s from their vehicles. Thieves know all of the hiding places so ensure that all property is removed instead of being put in the glove box or under the passenger seat.

“We need residents to help us by also being our eyes and ears, so if you see anything suspicious, please call it in so we can stop more offences being committed.”

If you have any information about car crime in your area, please call police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Basildon magistrates court heard that Oliver Scamp, 30, Lime Close, South Ockendon had damaged a water tap outside the Dog and Partridge pub in May, last year..

Scamp, who was recently released from prison, was given a conditional discharge.

Police were called at 11.40 am to the Heath road area of Chadwell after residents had reported seeing a Land Rover on its roof and several men fleeing from the scene.

The police helicopter and several cars searched the area. Soon after, a 21-year-old male from Tilbury was arrested on suspicion of taking a motor vehicle without consent.

Police are continuing to search for a number of other males.

Jamie Lee Clarke, 20, Faymore Gardens, South Ockendon was accused of taking away and driving the car without the owners consent from Wallace Road, Grays on the 21st January.

Clarke, known as G.Dot among the rapping community, was granted unconditional bail at Basildon magistrates court.

He will re-appear on the 28th March.

Albert Jackson, 61, Purfleet Road, Aveley and Thomas Skinner, 20, Main Road, Romford did not enter a plea at Basildon magistrates court.

Jackson was charged with dishonestly handling 9552 individual tubes of Bodyshop cleansing gel to the value of £76,000 on the 28th June last year at Capital UK Self Storage in Arisdale Avenue, Grays.

He was also charged with dishonestly handling 171 pairs of of Sketches footwear to the value of £8,000.

Skinner was charged with dishonestly handling 4992 individual tubes of Bodyshop cleansing gel to the value of £39936.00 on the 28th June last year in Grays.

Skinner was also charged with possession of 2,000 diazepam tablets.

They were both bailed to reappear on March 28th.

The charges relate to a factory with 492 plants discovered on the 7th November last year.

Marc Bryan (28), Crown Road, Clacton, entered no plea at Basildon magistrates court.

Bryan was also charged with the dishonest use of electricity to the value of £1408.

The case was adjourned until 14th March.

Bryan was released on unconditonal bail.

Deri Stephens, 32, Wood View, Grays and Matthew Smith, 39, Castle Road, Chatham, Kent pleaded guilty at Basildon magistrates court to damaging a door that led to the rood of Tasmania House, Tilbury.

The court heard that police were called on the evening of January 21st after reports that the two men had forced the door that led to the roof of the building.

Both men had gone to the roof to set up an aerial for a pirate radio station.

They were both fined £225.

The two large dogs reportedly attacked a small dog on January 29 whilst the dog was being walked by its owner, resulting in the dog suffering from cuts. It is also reported that the same dogs may have been responsible for killing a cat on January 25.

Pc Leigh Munden, from the South Ockendon neighbourhood policing team, said: “Responsible dog owners should be able to enjoy a walk with their pets without fear that their dogs will be attacked, so we are reminding residents in the area that they should be in proper control of their animals at all times. If dogs are dangerously out of control and attack a person it is a criminal offence, and we will treat it as such, so please ensure that you take the right precautions before letting your dog out in public.”

Police have been investigating to ascertain who the dog owners are, and will continue until they find them. When they do find them, they will seek to prosecute them.

If you have concerns about any police related issues in your area, contact your local neighbourhood policing team on 101 or by visiting the www.essex.police.ukand type in your postcode to find your local officer.

Giving evidence on the second day of the trial of three men accused of taking part in the robbery at Goldsmiths Jewellers in Tavern Street last June, Pc Joseph Mullett recalled how one of the motorbikes used by the gang to escape, drove straight towards him.

The court has heard that during the robbery a gang got away with a £78,000 haul of watches from Goldsmiths after smashing glass display stands with an axe and a sledgehammer, causing £18,000 worth of damage to the shop.

Pc Mullett told the court how he ran out of a nearby shop and “lunged” at one of two motorcyclists waiting in the street while their accomplices smashed open display cases inside the jewellers.

He said that as he ran over the rider had told him to “back off.”

Asked by prosecution counsel Andrew Shaw what he was thinking as he ran towards the motorcyclist, Pc Mullett replied: “My initial intention was to push him over and grab hold of him until the police arrived.”

He said that as he lunged forward the motorcyclist had spun his bike round and moved out of the way.

Pc Mullett had then gone towards the other bike and that had also moved out of the way.

A man then ran past his right 
shoulder and jumped on the back of 
one of the bikes before it sped off towards Carr Street.

He then saw the other bike accelerate straight towards him at a high speed.

He said the bike didn’t collide with him and he couldn’t be sure if that was because he jumped out of the way or the bike swerved to avoid him. “I don’t know how it got past me,” said Pc Mullett.

Asked by Mr Shaw if he was sure 
the bike was driving at him Pc Mullett said, “He drove straight towards 
me.”

He said the bike had skidded to a halt five to ten feet away from him and at that moment a man ran past him and got on the bike which had then sped off along Tavern Street. Pc Mullett then went to the doorway of Goldsmiths to stop anyone going in and to preserve the crime scene until other officers arrived.

Before the court are Benjamin Murphy, 25, of Loughton, Essex; Danny O’Bryan, 21, of Bulphan, Essex and Charles Onyemelukwe, 24, of Camden. They have all denied conspiracy to commit robbery at Goldsmiths on June 15 last year.

Two other men – Dean Armstrong, 20, of Islington and George paget, 19, of Rochester, Kent – have pleaded guilty to the charge.

The trial continues today.

The decision was made last week at council.

Cllr Kent’s comments come after an advisory group counselled the councillors to not play out their disputes in the local media.

Cllr Kent said: “There they go again. Another hysterical press release and another bout of officer bashing.

I had hoped the days of trying to ridicule council officers were over. Thurrock Council suffered in so many ways when, the then ruling. Conservative group was unable to take responsibility for it’s actions

If an officer get’s something wrong – and they will, we all do – then it should be raised it in private not through a press release.

On this occasion if the Conservatives believed the report on the DPPO to be inaccurate they had plenty of time to have it clarified before the meeting, they could have raised it at the meeting – but no, they chose to wait and do it through the press. I think that tells you all you need to know about their real priorities.

The Labour Chair of the Licensing Committee, Mike Stone, in fact proposed – against the recommendation of officers – that DPPOs should be introduced in four areas of Little Thurrock and Ockendon.

The Labour Group was happy to support the move because we know only too well the misery drink fuelled nuisance causes many residents and hope the DPPO will prove to be a valuable weapon in the Police armoury.”

The meeting will be held at 7pm at the Jack Evans complex in Faymore Gardens, South Ockendon.

Pc Leigh Munden, neighbourhood constable for South Ockendon, Belhus and Aveley wards, said: “We always used to hold the NAP meeting during the day, which meant a lot of people that work couldn’t attend to tell us what crime problems concerned them most.

“By holding the new meeting in the evening, we hope it encourages more members of the community to come along and set the policing priorities for their neighbourhoods. At the heart of neighbourhood policing is listening to what our residents want, so I encourage everyone to come along and have their say, and we will act upon their concerns.”

If you have any crime or anti-social behaviour concerns and you live in South Ockendon, Aveley or Belhus, contact Pc Leigh Munden on the beat mobile: 07866 543494 or email leigh.munden@essex.pnn.police.uk.

Paul Smethurst, 35, Godman Road, Chadwell St Mary pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possession of imitation firearms at Basildon Crown Court.

The court heard that Smethurst kidnapped the two colleagues and confined them in a portable cabin at the premises in the Ongar Hall Farm estate, Brentwood Road, Orsett around 2.40pm on Thursday July 7th last year.

Armed police surrounded the building and a police helicopter monitored proceedings overhead whilst Smethurst kept the men at bay with two imitation firearms and a knife.

Prosecuting barrister Anthony Abell told the court that during the siege, Smethurst became increasingly agitated, banging his head against the meshed windows, self-harming and waving his gun around.

Not only were the two men who were abducted in a state of fear but so were their wives who were on the premises and were watching events unravel on cctv.

With the scene becoming increasingly tense, armed officers were having to make a decision whether to shoot or not.

Eventually, Smethurst dropped the firearm and it was thrown to safety by one of the abductees. The armed officers stormed the cabin and arrested him.

In mitigation, Smethurst’s barrister told the court that he had been suffering from anxiety attacks, sleeplessness and increasing problems with alcohol for some time.

With his whole family in court for support, the court heard that Smethurst became increasingly agitated at work.

Judge John Lodge heard that his employers, supported him, gave him time off and at one stage, he spent time in Basildon hospital at a mental health unit.

The court also heard that whilst on remand in HMP Chelmsford, Smethurst had been a model prisoner.

Sentencing Smethurst to three years in prison, Judge Lodge said: “I am confident that the Paul Smethurst I see in front of me today is a different man than the one who committed these offences.

“However these are serious crimes and caused a great deal of anguish and distress, not only to the two men you abducted but also to their wives who looked on nearby.”

Colgate, who lost her seat in 2010, along with Richard Barnbrook, the £53,000-a-year member of the London Assembly, were involved in a complex fraud where bankrupt firms were allowed to continue trading, defrauding the taxman and other creditors for £1million, it is claimed.

Mr Barnbrook, former deputy to far-Right leader Nick Griffin, allegedly received cash “kickbacks” on taxpayer-funded contracts for his office costs and personal assistants at City Hall reports the Evening Standard.

His employees, who were temporary workers provided by a recruitment agency, were former BNP parliamentary candidate Anthony Avery and ex-BNP councillor Emma Colgate. All three have since left the extremist party.

The allegations emerged in a High Court claim by businessman Rene Greville, 65, from Norfolk. He bought Beau Trading LLP, a bankrupt company with alleged links to the BNP, in 2009.

In the court documents, Mr Greville claims to have discovered the firm was a sham and used as a vehicle to defraud the taxman, relying on “kickbacks” to members of the BNP.

Beau Trading supplied Mr Avery and Ms Colgate as temps to Mr Barnbrook, who was kicked out of the party in 2010 but remains an Assembly member.

In the court documents, Mr Greville claims to have uncovered “evidence which proves…Beau Trading LLP acted as a source of funding for at least three top members of the British National Party at the expense of the Greater London Authority”. According to his witness statement, Mr Greville has invoices and bank statements that show Mr Barnbrook and Ms Colgate received commissions on Mr Avery’s payments by the GLA, which was being double-billed by so-called “phoenix” companies that did not exist.

Mr Greville’s statement said: “It is quite evident that it was also agreed between all parties that ‘kickbacks’ on the Greater London Authority contracts…would be paid to Mr Barnbrook and Ms Colgate.”

Mr Greville is suing a finance company that brokered his purchase of Beau Trading, for £197,000. Summing up, he said he had uncovered a “long-term criminal enterprise by four companies which were all under the control of the same people, and all operated from the same addresses using the same telephone and fax numbers.

“With full knowledge and participation of…high-ranking members of the BNP, these ‘phoenix’ companies …stole nearly £1million from the Revenue and hundreds of small creditors over an 18-month period while defrauding the GLA and making corrupt payments to their staff.”

Mr Barnbrook said: “I find all the allegations ludicrous in the extreme. None of the accusations can be substantiated. This is an issue that has arisen between two parties in a claim and counter-claim within a legal dispute. None of this has anything to do with myself or Anthony Avery.” Ms Colgate said the allegations were “ludicrous and can all be proven to be so. This is obviously a failed ‘businessman’s’ attempt to recoup his investment.”