A KNIFE-WIELDING robber threatened to shoot his victim before ripping the phone off his wall and setting fire to his flat, a court heard.

Shaun Collier, 27, of Catchpool Road, Colchester, is accused of the attack and separate thefts at Justin Wickenden's home in Nunn's Road, Colchester.

He denies the charges.

Also in Thursday's Gazette * Father and son John and Kenny Meighan speak about the post traumatic stress disorder both have suffered after army service.

* Andree Maffey, 80, died of injuries after her home was destroyed in a gas explosion in Clacton.

* Get a free jumbo geranium worth £10.

There's always much more in the newspaper than online.