Essex | London - ITV News

8:04 pm, Thu 10 Jul 2014 Eystna Blunnie murder: chances to protect her missed

CPS has apologised for failing to act

The Crown Prosecution Service says that it has apologised unreservedly to Ms Blunnie's parents, for failing to authorise a charge against Tony McLernon.

Chief Crown Prosecutor for the East of England, Grace Ononiwu said:

One of the things we are doing [to change our processes] is setting up Violence Against Women Panels in the East of England which would examine CPS decision making in selected cases. Such panels are to be staffed by members of the public as well as lawyers and I have extended an invitation to Mr and Mrs Blunnie to join the Panel.

The East of England has the best conviction rate in the country for cases of domestic violence, but this case demonstrates the continued need to ever improve our handling and understanding of domestic violence. The fortitude displayed by Miss Blunnie's family strengthens my determination to do so.

6:57 pm, Thu 10 Jul 2014 M11 closed in Essex after 'serious crash' Anglia

Woman who died in M11 crash was 79

Police said the dead passenger was aged 79.

A man and woman who were also in the car remain in hospital tonight.

A police spokesman said any witnesses who have not contacted police or anyone with information about events leading to the collision, should call the Essex Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.

Woman killed in M11 motorway crash in Essex

Essex Police say a woman has died in the crash on the M11 motorway. Two other people who were in the same vehicle have been taken to hospital with serious injuries. The crash involved a car and a lorry.

It is a serious collision, and there have been serious injuries. A woman who was a passenger in the car has died. Two other people who were in the vehicle have been taken to hospital with serious injuries.

5:32 pm, Thu 10 Jul 2014 M11 closed in Essex after 'serious crash'

M11 closures in place throughout the rush hour

Essex Police says at least two or three people had been left with serious injuries.

There have been casualties, although we cannot go into details at this stage.

It is a serious collision, and there have been serious injuries - at least two or three serious injuries.

The northbound carriageway was also closed to allow an air ambulance to land. Drivers are being advised to avoid the area, with the road expected to be at least partially closed until 10pm.

5:29 pm, Thu 10 Jul 2014 M11 closed in Essex after 'serious crash'

Motorists told to avoid part of M11 motorway after crash

Motorists have been told to avoid a section of the motorway linking London with Cambridge after a serious road crash. A lorry and several cars were involved in the collision, on a stretch of the M11 near Epping, Essex, at around 3.30pm.

Going nowhere fast. #M11 http://t.co/feOpT84Mnu

M11 Car Park http://t.co/dYan8W9pbG

6:58 pm, Thu 10 Jul 2014 Eystna Blunnie murder: chances to protect her missed Anglia

Report says chances missed to protect pregnant teenager

A new report into the murder of a a heavily pregnant teenager in Essex says chances were missed to protect her. Nineteen year old Eystna Blunnie was beaten to death by her boyfriend Tony McLernon in Harlow in June 2012. She was nine months pregnant.

The report by the Safer Harlow Partnership has found there were many signs she was in danger before she was fatally attacked.

It recommended agencies should work together better to share information about high risk adults.

However it said there was no evidence her murder could have been accurately predicted though McLernon had made threats to kill her previously.

Essex Police had asked the Crown Prosecution Service whether he could be charged with an offence.

At the time, the CPS decided there was not enough evidence. It later admitted that decision was wrong.

Miss Blunnie's father Kevin said he believes his daughter would still be alive if McLernon had been prosecuted earlier.He said: "For that mistake, we lost our daughter and granddaughter."

The report's author, Jackie Sully, said no one could be sure if charging McLernon would have changed the course of events leading to Miss Blunnie's death.