That Was The Week That Was – 15th April 1988
By Myles Cook
HERE IS the latest in our series of features looking back at some of the news items to be found in the Thurrock Gazette archives from 25 years ago.
Dead Boy: Two Youths Accused
Two 16-year-old youths were charged with the murder of South Ockendon schoolboy Lee Osbon whose body was found by police in a play area on Sunday 10 April.
The two youths were charged on Monday 11th and appeared before Grays Juvenile Court the following day at a special sitting.
They were remanded in custody for six days.
Lee, 14, of Hamble Lane in South Ockendon, had been walking his girlfriend home at the time of the incident in Broxburn Drive. Police were called shortly before 9pm to find the young boy had stopped breathing. Officers tried their best to resuscitate him and he was rushed to Orsett Hospital under police escort where he sadly lost his life despite doctor’s efforts to save him.
The post-mortem revealed the cause of death to be internal head injuries.
On Tuesday morning, classmates and friends at Culverhouse School where Lee was a pupil said special prayers at the school.
Mr James Kiggins, headmaster of Culverhouse School, remarked: “The first I knew of the incident was when I arrived at school on Monday morning. This is a very close-knit community and I was soon told about it.
“The whole school is deeply shocked by what has happened, particularly Lee’s classmates. Lee was in the fourth year and studying for his GCSE examinations next year.
“I have talked to his year about what happened, and we all prayed for him.”
Richard and Doreen Osbon, Lee’s parents, were too distressed to comment.
A third youth was questioned but released without being charged by police.
Magistrates rejected a plea for bail on behalf of one of the youths and both were remanded in custody until 18th April.
Homes Built To Help Handicapped
Thurrock Council made plans to aid disabled residents and their families by building purpose-build bungalows, with work on the first two having already begun in Chadwell St Mary.
The bungalows, all wheelchair accessible, had three bedrooms, a lounge, kitchen, bathroom, a fenced rear garden and a car port.
The housing committee decided that two such properties should be provided each year.
Housing Manager, Senan Walsh, stated: “Every year the council adapts accommodation to improve the quality of life for handicapped residents but some cases are so severe that purpose-built accommodation is the most satisfactory solution.”
The sites for such properties were chosen based on their close proximity to local amenities and which were level. Tilbury was chosen as the site of the next two bungalows.
Driver Walks Away From Triple Crash
Decorator Derek Cornwall miraculously escaped injury in a three-car pile-up on the old A13 near the junction with Rectory Road on 15 December 1987, an inquest heard.
Mr Cornwall, of Giffords Cross Road in Corringham, was hit head on by a Ford Transit that was travelling towards him on the wrong side of the road as he was going to get petrol at the Daneholes Roundabout.
John Morris, a council worker for Barking Council, died from multiple injuries following the crash at about 7am during damp and misty conditions.
The driver of the Transit was facing criminal charges for careless driving.
Mr Cornwall told the inquest, conducted by Dr Charles Clark: “I was about 100 yards away when I saw the van coming towards me. I swerved to try to avoid it, but the driver swerved in the same direction and hit me.
“I just walked away from my vehicle. I was very, very lucky not to be injured. I suffered from delayed shock but that was all.”
The inquest was told that the Transit had just collided with a Ford Escort driven by Mr Morris that forced the van onto the wrong side of the road and into the path of Mr Cornwall.
No independent witnesses were found despite appeals by the police.
PC Martin Potter, of Laindon Traffic Police, told the inquest: “There was nothing mechanically wrong with any of the vehicles, but our investigation unit attended the scene.
“They concluded that from road marks the Transit had been in collision with the Escort and then the impact forced the van into the crash with Mr Cornwall.”
He told the inquest that Mr Kenneth Robinson of Billericay, who declined to give evidence, was to be charged with careless driving.
Mr Robinson told police at the scene of the crash: “I don’t really know what happened – we just hit each other.”
Dr Clark recorded a verdict of accidental death, adding: “Mr Robinson will have to answer for his performance in due course.”
George Gets MBE
George Wood, former director of nursing at South Ockendon Hospital received an MBE from the Queen in a ceremony the previous week.
Mr Wood, 56, of Nursery Close in South Ockendon, got the award for his services to the nursing and care of the mentally disabled.
He retired in July 1987 as Director of Nursing Services at South Ockendon Hospital.
He commented: “It was a very memorable occasion. Her Majesty made a point of talking to all those receiving their awards and asked one or two questions.
“She asked me how long I had been at the hospital and a couple of other questions as well. It was very formal but a wonderful day and one I shall certainly not forget.”
Mr Wood attended the ceremony with his wife Adeline.
On With The Show
Major General Michael Walsh, Chief Scout, inspected Thurrock Scouts and Guides following their performance in the 21st Gang Show at the Thameside Theatre.
It was one of the Chief Scout’s last official visits as he was set to retire after serving for seven years.
Also in attendance were Anglia Guides Chief Commissioner Margaret Johnson, Scout officials and representatives from Van der Burghs and Jurgens, the Purfleet margarine manufacturers.
A Thurrock Scouts spokesman said: “The Chief Scout and Guide complimented the cast on the extremely high standard of the show.”
In other news…
A mass sit-in was planned at the State in defiance of a court order to close the historic cinema.
Grays Athletic won the Essex Senior Challenge Cup for the first time since the 1956/57 season thanks to a goal from Delroy Rhoden 11 minutes into extra time in a 1-0 victory against Leytonstone/Ilford.
The local Top 20 included: “Heart” by the Pet Shop Boys at number 1, “Drop The Boy” by Bros at number 2, “Pink Cadillac” by Natalie Cole at number 10 and “I Want You Back” by Bananarama at number 13.
