Author: Blake Foster

Kelly Harris’ son, Harley, 14, was diagnosed with spondylocarpotarsal synostosis syndrome (SCTS) – a rare skeletal condition that affects the development of bones with fewer than 40 cases reported worldwide. Harley was told he had it aged five and, despite undergoing spinal surgery in January 2018 aged seven to ‘fuse’ the spin and stop it curving, his back has continued to deteriorate. Harley in hospital (Image: Kelly Harris / SWNS) His spine has now “twisted” into a 120-degree angle – “squashing” his lungs and leaving him dependant on oxygen.   The extreme curve has begun “crushing” more organs including his oesophagus…

The Community Fun and Safety Extravaganza will take place at Roding Valley Recreation Ground, next to the Oakwood Hill estate in Loughton on Saturday (July 12) from 12pm to 3pm. The event, which highlights the progress of the Safer Streets project, is organised by Restore Community, leaseholders of Oakwood Hill Community Centre. It will feature activities such as exploring emergency vehicles, face painting, circus skills, and more. Centreforce Radio, Design’a Face, and Showtime Circus will also be present. Visitors can expect a University of Essex stall, with a chance to win Molens vouchers, and a community clothes share by Cedarcube. Free ice cream…

The 30-year-old from Plaistow was found with stab injuries in Epping Road on June 23, 2020. Stephen drove away from the scene towards a Shell garage and got out of his car as he collapsed on the forecourt. Emergency services were called to the scene and he died in hospital later that evening. Yonas Girma, 28, of Hounslow Road in Hanworth, has been charged with murder. He was arrested in Feltham on Tuesday (July 8). Girma is due to appear in Southend Magistrates’ Court today  (July 9). Essex Police says that more than 200 hours of CCTV footage was examined…

There was a heavy police presence at Oldchurch Park in Romford yesterday (July 8) after officers were called to investigate disturbed ground. The area was cordoned off and animals remains were found at the scene. It was shut for hours, but the crime scene was eventually lifted near to 5pm. Many officers could be seen in the area near the grounds of the hospital as an investigation took place. Havering Police said on social media: “You may have noticed a large police presence around Old Church Road Park today, “Animal remains have been found after officers were called to investigate…

On the morning of July 5, volunteers, and staff from Asda’s Southgate Circus store united with Friends of Oakwood Park for a community litter pick at Oakwood Park in Southgate. The event took place on July 5 and 15 bags of litter were collected. (Image: Sejal Shah) The group managed to collect around 15 bags of litter, which included plastic bottles, crisp wrappers, balloons, cigarette butts, and other discarded items. Community champion Sejal Shah said: “Asda Southgate Circus Store and I want to show we care and value our shared spaces and are willing to take action to keep them looking…

Ten fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to a block of flats at Lewisham Road yesterday (July 8) at 11.55pm after 14 calls were made. One woman was treated at the scene by medics and three other people left the building before the London Fire Brigade arrived. A flat split between a ground and first floor was destroyed in the fire. Part of another flat between the second and third floor was damaged by the fire. Lewisham Road was closed between Penrose Way and Lewisham Hill. The fire was eventually under control by 2.02am today (July 9). The…

On April 29, Patricia Mukhtar attended an appointment at Kingston Hospital, parking in a disabled bay with her blue badge – as she has done for more than a decade. She claims her car had already been registered with the hospital as belonging to a blue badge holder. However, on May 3, Patricia received a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for non-payment of parking charges. She told Your Local Guardian: “It appears that procedures for blue badge holders had changed at the beginning of April. “Now the correct procedure, having parked, was to take the blue badge to the payment machine…

They have been on a seven-day endurance test, taking on the Brecon Beacons to put their skills to the ultimate challenge as part of the protective services course at Barking and Dagenham College. The outdoor activities included climbing up a cliff face were aimed at connecting with the skills training back at college — getting to grips with land navigation, leadership and communication. First-year student Emilia Marszalek took to climbing as part of her endurance test, something which “looked intimidating and challenging”. MORE NEWS: College makes significant improvements – but ‘too many apprentices falling behind’ But she was determined and had been motivated…

The Grafton in Prince of Wales Road is cited on the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) website as temporarily closed since June 28 amid reports that the tables remained chained up and a hand-written sign on the door had announced its closure. Stonegate Pub group has recently advertised for new landlords to take on the tenancy, citing it as “an exciting opportunity to manage a high-profile pub in a sought-after area of London.” According to CAMRA, the Grafton is expected to reopen “on or before” September 1 amid further reports of a refurbishment. The Grafton won the British pub of the year award in 2015 when it was run…

The government’s Safer Streets summer initiative will run until September 30, aiming to restore safety and confidence in local high streets through more visible patrols, targeted enforcement and stronger council powers. The move follows a sharp rise in crime across England and Wales. National figures show theft from the person more than doubled between December 2022 and December 2024, while shoplifting increased by more than 60 per cent in the same period. Many incidents involved threats or violence against shop workers. Police recorded 500,000 shoplifting offences in 2024 — a 20 per cent rise on the previous year. More than…