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Charles Thomson

Investigations Reporter

Charles Thomson is an award-winning investigative journalist, covering London and Herts.

Charles Thomson is an award-winning investigative journalist, covering London and Herts.

Latest articles from Charles Thomson

Leigh-on-Sea gym owner Matthew Rattenbury is on trial at Basildon Crown Court, accused of sexually assaulting an underage girl. He denies the charge and says he was giving the girl a massage

Exclusive Jury shown videos of alleged child sex assault as Leigh gym owner stands trial
Leigh-on-Sea gym owner Matthew Rattenbury has gone on trial in Basildon, accused of sexually assaulting an underage girl.

Senior coroner Graeme Irvine said he would hold an inquest to investigate the death of Yara Da Cruz, for which no medical cause had yet been found

Exclusive Young woman's 'sudden death' at Dagenham home under investigation
An investigation has been launched into the death of Yara Da Cruz, 30, after her death at home in Dagenham could not be explained.

Nicholas Jones, from Billericay, denied domestic abuse charges at Basildon Crown Court

Exclusive Man denies beating woman and causing actual bodily harm during south Essex incident
Nicholas Jones, from Billericay, has appeared at Basildon Crown Court to deny that he beat a woman repeatedly and damaged her television.

Darban Shahi, from Westcliff, denied two sexual assault allegations at Basildon Crown Court

Exclusive Man faces sex assault trial over claims he groped strangers in Southend
Westcliff man Darban Shahi appeared at Basildon Crown Court and pleaded not guilty to two sexual assualt charges in Southend.

Benfleet teacher Jeremy Gibbs downloaded hundreds of child sex photos and videos, mostly of children aged 10 and below

Exclusive South Essex teacher caught with child abuse videos walks away with suspended sentence

Paedophile teacher Jeremy Gibbs, from Benfleet, was given a suspended sentence at Basildon Crown Court after being caught with child sex videos.

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A coroner will investigate the death of David Church due to concerns about his living conditions and that he may have inhaled lethal asbestos

Exclusive Concerns over Romford man's 'living conditions' before he died, court told
Harold Hill man David Church may have inhaled asbestos at work, leading to his death, East London Coroner's Court has heard.

Rayleigh man Robert Saunders attended Basildon Crown Court, where he admitted trying to incite a child aged 13 to engage in a sex act

Exclusive Mute south Essex man admits attempting to molest 13-year-old girl
Robert Saunders, 58, from Rayleigh has pleaded guilty to four child sex offences at Basildon Crown Court

Lithuanian man Giedrius Vasiljevas was shot dead by armed police at his home in Weston Green, Dagenham, last year. The incident may have been caught by his Ring doorbell, the court was told - but the Amazon-owned company refuses to hand over the footage

Exclusive Doorbell may have filmed shooting - but Ring won't hand over the video, court told
Amazon video doorbell company Ring refused to hand over potential evidence relating to police shooting in Dagenham, East London Coroner's Court has heard.

Activist and politician Ajay Pal Singh's car was vandalised in a seemingly targeted 'acid attack' outside his home on November 5

'Acid attack' on car leaves activist fearing for his family's safety

Romford activist Ajay Pal Singh has spoken of his safety concerns after his car was subjected to an 'acid attack' in Crow Lane.

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Paul Thompson, of Plumleys, Pitsea, has been convicted for the third time of possessing indecent images of children - alongside videos of humans engaged in sexual activity with animals

Exclusive Serial south Essex paedophile jailed over vile child abuse images and animal porn

Pitsea paedophile Paul Thompson has been convicted for a third time of possessing indecent images. Police also found animal sex videos.

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