Speeding in Essex: Driver blames his gran in Africa
A man tried to escape a speeding fine by blaming it on his grandmother who lived more than 3,000 miles away and had never visited the UK.
False widow spiders and what to do when they bite
There have been a number of media reports of people reacting badly to false widow spider bites. Here's how to recognise them and what to do
Pensioner talks about harrowing ordeal
A 95 year old woman from Wickford in Essex has spoken about the terrifying moment she was attacked by burglars in her home.
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Five year old shot in Essex
A five year old boy has been shot and seriously injured in an accident at his home.
Police were called to the property in Wickford, Essex, following reports of the incident yesterday afternoon.
The child was taken to the Royal London Hospital with a serious but not life- threatening injury.
An Essex Police spokeswoman said:
"Police are speaking to members of the family to determine the exact circumstances leading up to the incident but police believe that this was an accidental discharge of the weapon and inquiries are ongoing."
An 18 year old man was arrested for possession of a firearm and drug offences and has been released on bail.
The weapon and other legally held firearms were handed over to police.
Rare to see patient in hospital with a spider bite
– Basildon HospitalIt's very rare that we see a patient in A and E following a spider bite.
If somebody needs to come to A&E following a bite we would take advice from the Hospital for Tropical Diseases.
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Cellulitis and poisoning from venomous spider bite
Layla's mother, Wendy said her daughter developed cellulitis and blood poisoning:
My other daughter found the spider in the bathroom and we took it to the hospital - but they just laughed and said it had been in the country for years, and it was the way Layla had reacted to the bite.
They contacted a tropical diseases hospital in London and had some special cream couriered down, but that made it worse and had to be washed off. It was awful by then, with vivid orange stuff leaching from the wound. At that point they said she might need to have surgery to wash it out.
Earlier this month, a man also claimed to have been bitten by a False Widow spider. Ricki Whitmore says the creature bit him, causing his leg to swell. Read more here.
Girl 'scarred for life' after False Widow spider bite
A teenager says she has been left scarred for life after being bitten by Britain's most vemonous spider, the False Widow.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, Layla Barton from Pitsea in Essex says she was bitten on the knee and spent a week in hospital being treated for blood poisoning.
Essex college honours Sandie Shaw
Sixties pop legend Sandie Shaw has received an honorary degree from South Essex College.
She spoke to Charlene White after the ceremony - but before she took off her gown.
False widow spiders and what to do when they bite
by Kai Tabacek
There have been a number of media reports of people reacting badly to false widow spider bites. Here's how to recognise them and what to do
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Man arrested after owls are found in a freezer
A man has been arrested after rare birds, thought to be owls, were found dead in a freezer.
The 49-year-old was questioned by police after a search of a property in Stanford-le-Hope in Essex.
Forensic tests are being carried out to confirm the species of bird and work out how they died. Another 25 taxidermy birds were also seized.
False widow spiders lay up to 120 eggs at a time
- The spiders are usually coloured purple and black spiders
- They feast on insects and sometimes other spiders
- Female 'false widows' lay up to 120 eggs at a time
Footage of 'false widow' spider eating a mealworm
A number of videos on YouTube appear to show the 'false widow' spider in action.
Spider bite victim: I'm just lucky to still have my leg
– Ricki WhitmoreI can't work, I'm living away from my family - and all because of a spider bite. I'm just lucky to still have my leg - but we won't be going on holiday to the Canaries this year!
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