Courts across the county have seen another busy week, seeing defendants for a number of charges and deciding their punishment, or even clearing their names.

Here is the week’s crime and court roundup. 

Arrested

Following two incidents in Colchester, where victims reported a man trying to speak to them, a 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of common assault. 

Enquiries by Essex Police are ongoing while the man remains in custody. 

The suspect was seen in Monkwick Avenue, Queen Elizabeth Way and Prince Phillip Road during these incidents. 

See our full report here: https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/24580803.girls-being-followed-colchester-sees-man-arrested/ 

Police officers only needed 30 minutes to arrest two men after a robbery in Colchester High Street. 

After a man had been robbed of his wallet outside the Rolex shop, one of the stolen cards had been used in a nearby shop. 

Essex Police officers arrested a 54-year-old of no fixed abode and a 44-year-old from Colchester on suspicion of handling stolen goods. 

Read the full story here: https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/24570552.colchester-high-street-arrests-following-robbery-police/ 

Sentenced 

A 39-year-old man from Colchester was identified in CCTV footage as being responsible for a bike theft outside a Sainsbury in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. 

Danny Bygrave, of Turner Road, pleaded guilty to two counts of bike theft and possession of a class-A drug. 

He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, suspended for a year at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court. 

Read the full story here: https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/24573773.colchester-man-sentenced-stealing-bicycle-cambridgeshire/ 

Colchester Magistrates’ Court saw a 37-year-old woman being sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work following a serious incident near Harwich. 

Precious Nwokei, of James Street, Colchester, crashed with her Kia into oncoming traffic during an unexplained incident last December. 

The crash left another woman injuries which the court heard “will affect her long term”. 

Nwokei showed deep remorse and was fined £199 and will be disqualified from driving for 12 months. 

See the full article here: https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/24559772.colchester-woman-remorseful-serious-car-crash/ 

Colchester resident Rushi Patel appeared before Ipswich Crown Court this week, where he received a restraining order for 10 years. 

The 43-year-old sent a total of 188 abusive messages to his mother, which had her fear he would act on the threats he made. 

The defendant, of East Street, admitted to the charges brought against him ahead of his sentencing. 

See our full story here: https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/24557547.colchester-man-given-10-year-restraining-order-mum/ 

Cleared 

Ipswich Crown Court also saw a Colchester man being accused of rape cleared by a jury. 

Matthew Edgerton, of De Grey Road, denied raping the alleged victim in March. 

A jury returned with a not guilty verdict for the 31-year-old. 

For the full story, follow this link: https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/24575712.colchester-man-cleared-raping-woman-ipswich/