Two mid-Essex detectives have won special awards for bringing a pair of armed robbers to justice.

Well-deserved - Det Con Richard Wardleworth and Det Con Matt Bradford are presented with their awards by Chief Constable David Stevens. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK 40492-4

Det Con Richard Wardleworth and Det Con Matt Bradford, who at the time were both based with Witham CID, worked on the investigation into a robbery at the Little Chef restaurant on the A12 at Rivenhall in January 2002.

Their work was recognised when each was presented with a Chief Constable's Commendation award at the Essex Police headquarters in Chelmsford on Friday.

During the robbery two women, who worked at the Little Chef and were cleaning up for the night, were left terrified after being threatened with a shotgun and pistol.

The robbers, both from Kent, escaped in a getaway car with a haul of 704 and eight mobile phone cards.

But Adam Taylor, 24, of Ashford Road, Ashford, and Nigel Overton, 27, of Hampton Road, Maidstone, were both convicted of robbery after a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court in June last year and were each jailed for 13 years.

Also recognised at the awards ceremony was a Det Con Richard Adams; part of the major investigations team that investigated the murder of 17-year-old Hedingham teenager Debra Carne in July 2002, he acted as family liaison officer to the victim's family.

In recognition of his work he was also presented with a Chief Constable's Commendation.

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Published Monday, January 17, 2005