A nightshift worker who was jailed after finding
a stun gun lying in a bush has had his prison sentence more than halved by top
judges.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Jaroslaw Daniel Tuka, 25, of Bishop Road, Chelmsford, said he kept the weapon, which was disguised as a torch, for protection during lonely walks home from work.
But after he was spotted showing friends the weapon at Harlow's Water Gardens shopping centre last December, he was arrested.
He pleaded guilty to having the disguised firearm at Chelmsford Crown Court and was jailed for five years in April.
Court of Appeal judges said his jail term was "disproportionate" and slashed it to two years.
Appeal to find Southend petrol bomb killer
Police have issued a fresh appeal for information on an arson attack which killed a mother-of-two 12 years ago.
Richard and Stuart, then aged 20 and 17, were forced to jump from a first floor window.
But Andrea, 40, became trapped in her bedroom and died as a result of inhaling smoke.
Police are yet to discover who was responsible. Det Insp Stuart Truss, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "Someone knows who is responsible for Andrea's death and we will not stop until we find them."
Man dies in fire 'after falling asleep while smoking'
A man has died after he fell asleep while smoking, the fire service has said.
BBCCopyright: BBC
The fire happened at Crowhurst Court, Colchester, at about 19:55 yesterday.
Fire investigator Lee Lucas said: "Following a joint fire and police
investigation we believe this incident to be accidental, caused when the man
fell asleep on the sofa with a lit cigarette which fell onto the sofa, setting
it alight.
"This tragic accident serves to
highlight the dangers of smoking of the home, and the devastating consequences
they can cause."
Spooky happenings reported at Benfleet's sewage work
Anglian Water has tweeted this short film, all about strange lights and self-starting vehicles at its Benfleet sewage works...
Video caption: Priti Patel, the ambitious right wing cabinet minister, forced to resign.Priti Patel, the ambitious right wing cabinet minister, forced to resign.
Luke Jones profiles ex-cabinet minister Priti Patel, the ambitious daughter of Indian newsagents, forced to resign after holding extra-curricular meetings in Israel.
So how bad is it for Priti Patel
Andrew Sinclair
BBC Look East political correspondent
It's not nice for anyone to lose their job, to do so so publicly and to be summoned home from half way around the world to explain yourself must be absolutely awful.
Priti Patel was seen as an up and coming politician. A key member of the Leave campaign, she had a reputation as someone who would work tirelessly for a cause she believed in and not be afraid to speak her mind.
She was often spoken about as a future party leader. Indeed last month at the Conservative conference she joked that "small people make good leaders".
This scandal was all about ministerial protocol: How you behave when you're abroad? Who you tell about your trips?
You could argue that it doesn't really affect anyone living outside the Westminster bubble.
But it still matters because an up and coming MP has been caught out - she hasn't been completely open about her activities, she's been portrayed as being disloyal to her leader and her actions have damaged her already weakened party.
Conservatives in her Witham constituency have been quick to point out that she has been an excellent MP fighting for improvements to the A120 and pushing for improvements to local bus and rail services.
There is no talk of forcing her to stand down. In fact now that she is no longer a foreign affairs minister she'll have more time to concentrate on local issues.
But this is still very embarrassing for Priti Patel and at some stage she will have to explain herself to her constituents.
Live Reporting
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Video caption: Priti Patel, the ambitious right wing cabinet minister, forced to resign.Priti Patel, the ambitious right wing cabinet minister, forced to resign. 
Latest PostProfile: Priti Patel
The prominent Brexiteer rose swiftly to the cabinet after being elected as an MP in 2010, and was appointed as home secretary in July last year.
Read moreChelmsford stun-gun carrier's prison sentenced reduced
A nightshift worker who was jailed after finding a stun gun lying in a bush has had his prison sentence more than halved by top judges.
Jaroslaw Daniel Tuka, 25, of Bishop Road, Chelmsford, said he kept the weapon, which was disguised as a torch, for protection during lonely walks home from work.
But after he was spotted showing friends the weapon at Harlow's Water Gardens shopping centre last December, he was arrested.
He pleaded guilty to having the disguised firearm at Chelmsford Crown Court and was jailed for five years in April.
Court of Appeal judges said his jail term was "disproportionate" and slashed it to two years.
Appeal to find Southend petrol bomb killer
Police have issued a fresh appeal for information on an arson attack which killed a mother-of-two 12 years ago.
Andrea Daly and her two sons were asleep when a petrol bomb was put through the letter box of their home on Rochford Road, Southend, at 03:30 on 10 November 2005.
Richard and Stuart, then aged 20 and 17, were forced to jump from a first floor window.
But Andrea, 40, became trapped in her bedroom and died as a result of inhaling smoke.
Police are yet to discover who was responsible. Det Insp Stuart Truss, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "Someone knows who is responsible for Andrea's death and we will not stop until we find them."
Keeper Foster signs new Essex contract
Essex wicketkeeper James Foster signs a new deal to stay with the county champions until the end of next season.
Read moreConcrete crash death still a mystery
The inquest in Chelmsford heard it could not be established where the concrete had come from.
Read morePupils hurt in school bus crash
Paramedics spent about an hour treating pupils at the scene of the collision.
Read moreChilli powder decoy people smuggler jailed
Skelly Monpierre attempted to throw sniffer dogs off the scent of stowaways with the spicy mixture.
Read moreMan dies in fire 'after falling asleep while smoking'
A man has died after he fell asleep while smoking, the fire service has said.
The fire happened at Crowhurst Court, Colchester, at about 19:55 yesterday.
Fire investigator Lee Lucas said: "Following a joint fire and police investigation we believe this incident to be accidental, caused when the man fell asleep on the sofa with a lit cigarette which fell onto the sofa, setting it alight.
"This tragic accident serves to highlight the dangers of smoking of the home, and the devastating consequences they can cause."
Spooky happenings reported at Benfleet's sewage work
Anglian Water has tweeted this short film, all about strange lights and self-starting vehicles at its Benfleet sewage works...
Could Vikings slaughtered at the Battle of Benfeet be to blame?
Football fan meets man who saved his life
Video content
Ian Pearse carried out CPR on Ian Perry after he collapsed on his way into Wembley.
Was Priti Patel wrong in her use of the word 'fulsome'?
Video content
Essex Police rate 'good' in latest efficiency inspection
Essex Police needs to reduce the number of 101 calls being abandoned by the public, but has otherwise been rated "good" in its latest inspection.
Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh (below) said work is already under way to improve the experience of people calling the non-emergency number.
The finding is from a report published by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services, assessing the police force's efficiency and leadership.
The chief constable said "being told we're 'performing well across the board' recognises the good work Essex police officers and staff do every day".
But he added: "Essex Police has the lowest cost of policing per head than any other police force. That needs to be addressed urgently."
PM faces reshuffle after Priti Patel quits
Theresa May is urged to replace the international development secretary with another Brexiteer.
Read morePriti Patel
Video content
Luke Jones profiles ex-cabinet minister Priti Patel, the ambitious daughter of Indian newsagents, forced to resign after holding extra-curricular meetings in Israel.
So how bad is it for Priti Patel
Andrew Sinclair
BBC Look East political correspondent
It's not nice for anyone to lose their job, to do so so publicly and to be summoned home from half way around the world to explain yourself must be absolutely awful.
Priti Patel was seen as an up and coming politician. A key member of the Leave campaign, she had a reputation as someone who would work tirelessly for a cause she believed in and not be afraid to speak her mind.
She was often spoken about as a future party leader. Indeed last month at the Conservative conference she joked that "small people make good leaders".
This scandal was all about ministerial protocol: How you behave when you're abroad? Who you tell about your trips?
You could argue that it doesn't really affect anyone living outside the Westminster bubble.
But it still matters because an up and coming MP has been caught out - she hasn't been completely open about her activities, she's been portrayed as being disloyal to her leader and her actions have damaged her already weakened party.
Conservatives in her Witham constituency have been quick to point out that she has been an excellent MP fighting for improvements to the A120 and pushing for improvements to local bus and rail services.
There is no talk of forcing her to stand down. In fact now that she is no longer a foreign affairs minister she'll have more time to concentrate on local issues.
But this is still very embarrassing for Priti Patel and at some stage she will have to explain herself to her constituents.