Lewisham man, 49, charged after £2m cocaine bust at Essex airfield

A man from South East London has been charged with smuggling 30kg of cocaine from France to Essex. Errol Weir, of Shifford Path, Lewisham, as well as Anastasios Balian, of Milton Court, Cheshunt, were arrested on Thursday, March 20 when Border Force officers stopped a plane arriving into North Weald airfield, near Epping Forest.

A search of the plane uncovered bundles of drugs hidden underneath a seat, with the haul estimated to have a street value of more than £2m. The pair, aged 49 and 52, respectively, were taken into custody whilst a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation was completed.

They have since been charged with the important of Class A drugs and are expected to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court today (March 22).

The drugs could be sold for more than £2m (Image: NCA)

NCA branch operations manager Paul Orchard said: “This was a significant quantity of cocaine with a likely street value in excess of £2 million. In making this seizure we have denied the profits of that to those involved, and prevented them from being used for further criminality.

“Working with colleagues at Border Force we are determined to do all we can to protect the public and disrupt the criminal networks involved in bringing narcotics into the UK. To do that we need the public’s support, and I’d ask anyone who lives or works near a small airfield to report any suspicious activity to the police.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Border Force seized and prevented 30kg of cocaine from causing harm on our streets, and are fully committed to disrupt the criminal networks behind this trade. We continue to work closely with law enforcement partners, including the NCA, to keep our borders secure.”

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South Ockendon pupils attacked in 'shocking' park double stabbing on way home from school

A school has confirmed three pupils were attacked on their way home, with two of them understood to have been stabbed. The shocking violence happened in Bonnygate Park, off Daiglen Drive, in South Ockendon - just over the East London border into Essex, at about 4.20pm on Thursday (March 20).

As reported by Essex Live, two people were reported to have been stabbed in the park in a 'serious incident', with a third also injured in the incident. Al three are taken to hospital and thankfully none are believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries. Police have not said if any arrests have been made.

Harris Academy Ockendon, which is a five minute walk from the park, has confirmed the three individuals are all pupils at the secondary school and sixth form. A spokesperson said they were attacked while 'on their way home from school'.

The spokesperson for Harris Academy Ockendon said: “All of us in the academy are shocked by this incident and our thoughts are very much with our three students who were hurt on their way home from school. We are supporting them and their families in every way we can.

"Thankfully, the emergency services responded promptly. We are grateful to Essex Police for being Daniel Allan since yesterday, helping everyone feel safe and reassured.”

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Exact time and place to glimpse rare Venus phenomenon that won't happen again until 2033

Skywatchers will have the chance to witness a rare event that is not set to happen again for another eight years. Venus will be visible in the night sky until March 21 both before sunrise and after sunset.

Known as dual visibility, no special equipment is required to see it, although anyone with a telescope should enjoy a spectacular view as it comes close to the Earth. Venus is the brightest planet in our solar system, earning the nicknames 'evening star' and 'morning star', depending on when it appears.

In fact, due to its shifting position in the sky, Venus was once thought to be two distinct stars—one appearing at dawn, the other at dusk. Many early astronomers were unaware that the morning and evening stars were actually the same object.

The dual visibility phenomenon can generally be seen from latitudes of London, UK, or further north. It will not happen again until 2033, so make the most of it. Look west in the evening low down in the sky after sunset. To see it in the morning, it should be visible just before sunrise, close to the horizon in the east.

In London, the estimated time slot to see it is 6.30pm to 6.50pm. People are urged to be careful in the morning though, as observing the planet when any part of the sun is above the horizon could cause irreversible damage to your eyes, due to Venus' close proximity to the sun.

Venus normally orbits closer to the sun than Earth does, meaning it is mostly visible at nighttime. This time, Venus and the sun are particularly misaligned, causing Venus to appear far enough north of the sun to be visible in both the evening and morning skies from certain locations.

This pattern occurs every eight years - the last time it happened was 2017. This time, it is occurring a few days before its inferior conjunction ( March 23), which occurs when a planet passes approximately between Earth and the sun.

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Hillingdon road closures for drivers to look out for over the next fortnight

Roadworks and closures can be a huge inconvenience for drivers - particularly in London, with commuter traffic galore. Thankfully, National Highways publishes scheduled closures with plenty of notice, so that drivers can plan their journeys accordingly.

Drivers in and around Hillingdon will have 13 National Highways road closures to watch out for in the next couple of weeks. Five of them are expected to cause delays of between 10 and 30 minutes.

The latest expected works list, with notes from National Highways, shows that five closures already in place are expected to carry on this week:

You may want to factor extra time into your journeys (Image: Kypros via Getty Images)

• M25, from 9pm March 17 to 5am March 24, slight delays (under 10 minutes): M4 clockwise, junction 4 Roundabout, Lane closures for traffic signal upgrading.

• M4, from 10pm March 17 to 5.30am March 24, moderate delays (10-30 minutes): M4 clockwise, junction 4, Roundabout closure for traffic signal upgrading, diversion via local authorities.

• M4, from 10pm March 17 to 5.30am March 19, slight delays (under 10 minutes): M4 eastbound, junction 5 to junction 4B, Lane closures for Midas Installation works.

• A312, from 9pm March 18 to 6am March 23, slight delays (under 10 minutes): M4 clockwise, junction 4 Roundabout, Lane closures for traffic signal upgrading.

• M4, from 10pm March 18 to 6am March 23, moderate delays (10-30 minutes): M4 clockwise, junction 4, Roundabout closure for traffic signal upgrading works, diversion via National Highways roads and local authorities.

• M4, from 10pm March 19 to 5.30am March 20, moderate delays (10-30 minutes): M4 clockwise, junction 4, Roundabout closure for traffic signal upgrading, diversion via local authorities.

• M4, from 10pm March 19 to 5.30am March 20, slight delays (under 10 minutes): M4 eastbound, junction 4 to junction 3, Lane closure for loop works.

• M25, from 10pm March 19 to 5.30am March 20, slight delays (under 10 minutes): M4 clockwise, junction 4 Roundabout, Lane closures for traffic signal upgrading works.

• M4, from 10pm March 19 to 5.30am March 20, slight delays (under 10 minutes): M4 eastbound, junction 4 to junction 3, Lane closure for loop works.

• M4, from 10pm March 20 to 6am March 29, slight delays (under 10 minutes): M4 northbound, junction 4A to junction 4, Lane closures for weather station installation works.

• M25, from 10.30pm March 20 to 5am March 21, slight delays (under 10 minutes): M25 clockwise, junction 14, Lane closure for electrical works.

• M4, from 10pm March 24 to 5.30am March 25, slight delays (under 10 minutes): M4 eastbound, junction 4 -, junction 3, Lane closure for Midas works.

• A312, from 10pm March 24 to 5am March 29, moderate delays (10-30 minutes): M4 westbound, junction 3 to junction 4B, Lane closures, link road closures and carriageway closure for maintenance works, diversion via TFL roads.

National Highways is responsible for maintaining motorways and major A-roads, so closures of smaller roads will not be included in their schedule.

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North Londoners fight back in last ditch attempt to stop £200k deal to build homes on beloved park

The £200,000 deal to allow new homes to be built on a North London park has been 'called in' for a special review, after hundreds signed a petition demanding the decision be overturned. Campaigners have been left feeling 'angry and ignored' by the agreement concerning Barham Park in Sudbury, which the council claims will benefit the park and residents via 'improvements over the coming years'.

Last month, the trustees of Barham Park – five members of Brent Council's Cabinet – agreed a deal with a local funfair owner and property developer to change a long-standing agreement that prevents further homes being built within the park grounds. The decision will be reviewed by the Scrutiny Committee next month after opposition councillors officially challenged the decision.

The two existing houses on the site were auctioned off in 2011, after they were deemed to no longer be needed, and bought by fun fair owner George Irvin. Brent Council's Planning Committee then approved plans by Mr Irvin's property development company to demolish the houses and replace them with four three-storey homes - despite a protective covenant being in place which restricts further development.

The two semi-detached houses in the park were built in the 1970s specifically for park wardens (Image: Cllr Ketan Sheth)

The move to vary the conditions of the covenant to allow the development to go ahead has received significant opposition from councillors and residents. A 'call-in' - a function designed to examine an executive decision - will now take place on April 3 following a submission by Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors.

Sudbury Councillor, Paul Lorber, who has long been campaigning to protect the park, said the call-in 'highlights [the council's] disregard' for the Charity Commission Guidance - which states that Trustees 'must act in the interest of the charity' rather than the local authority as the board 'does not represent the council'. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Cllr Lorber said: "It is time that the Labour councillors running Brent showed some respect to Titus Barham who gifted his home and gardens for the recreation of local people."

He added: "The two existing cottages were built without any evidence of proper permission in the 1970s and there should not be any further expansion of building in Barham Park. The job of the Barham Park Trustees is to protect the park and not to scheme to enrich one individual and his family irrespective of their connection with the council."

Depending on what comes of the scrutiny meeting, Cllr Lorber said the group 'may take it further'. A petition set up at the start of the month (March 4) has already received 301 signatures (accurate at the time of publication) and will run until April 14.

Funfair owner, George Irvin, wants to build four three-storey, three-bed homes (Image: Mackenzie Wheeler)

The petition states: "Any attempts by the appointed Trustees to modify or discharge the restrictive covenant will go against the original aim in seeking to protect the site for the benefit of local people as opposed to the enrichment of a selected individual."

Cllr Lorber claims residents feel 'angry and completely ignored' following the decision. The trust is the legal owner of the restrictive covenants, meaning it does ultimately have the right to negotiate their modification or removal, providing it is in line with the Charity Commission's guidelines.

A Brent Council spokesperson said: "This deal would mean that Barham Park, its facilities, and the local residents who use them will benefit from a further £200,000 worth of investment over the coming years. An independent specialist has advised the Trustees that £200,000 is the market value for altering the covenant, and that the proposed terms are the best that can reasonably be obtained for the Trust. A final decision will be made, subject to the outcomes from the scrutiny meeting on Thursday, April 3."

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Homeowners could remortgage or reduce term more easily under Rachel Reeves' plans

Homeowners could remortgage their properties with new lenders or reduce their mortgage terms more easily under plans to 'cut the red tape. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is speaking to various regulators to ensure they run more efficiently and 'cut red tape'.

The details will depend on feedback received, but some ideas in the works have been revealed. Among others, Reeves is reportedly looking into making it easier for homeowners to get a mortgage.

In May, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will launch a consultation proposing early ideas to simplify rules, to make it easier to access options such as remortgaging with a new lender and reducing a mortgage term, reports PA news agency.

In May, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will launch a consultation proposing early ideas to simplify rules

Then in June, the FCA will open a public discussion on the future of the mortgage market. This will involve considering what the market needs to deliver for different consumers at different stages in their lives.

The regulator has also reminded lenders of flexibility in its existing rules, to ensure creditworthy consumers can access the affordable mortgage they need, supporting home ownership.

Mortgage lending rules were toughened following the 2008 financial crisis to help ensure there would be no return to irresponsible lending.

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New pub rule from April 1 will be 'incredibly disappointing' for punters

A useful trick that allowed pubgoers to nab a takeaway drink from their favourite bars is set to disappear from next month. The crafty loophole arose during the pandemic as a way for pubs to maintain a level of income as the hospitality industry struggled.

A ban on indoor gatherings meant businesses were allowed to serve punters drinks to-go through hatches. The rules were extended in 2023, with CAMRA chief executive Tom Stainer saying: "It's a good sign that the Government has listened and decided to backtrack on their plans to end the automatic permission for pubs to make off-sales."

The chief executive also hoped that tax rules on takeaway drinks would be relaxed, claiming such restrictions restrict pub owners from selling drinks to-go. However, the regulations for this practice are set to expire on March 31 following a consultation from the previous Government last year.

The British Beer and Pub Association said it was 'incredibly disappointed' with the decision (Image: DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

The British Beer and Pub Association has voiced its criticism following the decision, telling the Liverpool Echo that there was 'no evidence that this easement has created any widespread issues'. A spokesperson said the practice had contributed to increased trade to pubs and benefitted the overall economy.

They said: "On behalf of our members, who account for approximately 20,000 pubs across the UK, we supported options that would have made the temporary easement permanent, so we are incredibly disappointed at the Government's decision."

Dame Diana Johnson, Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, said she was disappointed that the consultation exercise from the previous Government had not resulted in the retainment of the practice. She said it had supported the current Government's objectives of promoting the growth of the UK economy as well as supporting the nation's pub trade.

She said: "The previous Government launched a consultation which ran from 16 May 2024 to 11 July 2024, which gave three options to maintain these easements on a more long-term basis.

She added: "These options were to make permanent the alcohol licensing provisions in the BPA, to amend the wording in the Licensing Act 2003 to extend the definition of on-sales so that it includes consumption in a licenced pavement area, or to amend the Licensing Act 2003 to permit on-sales only premises licence holders the right to make off-sales to any area for which there is a pavement licence."

Have a story you want to share? Email joseph.coughlan@reachplc.com.

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Oodie Mother's Day sale sees 'pretty' dressing gowns and blankets reduced by 30%

Oodie fans can bag a bargain this weekend after the retailer launched a huge Mother's Day sale. Whether shoppers are eager to treat themselves or the mum figure in their lives, the new sale offers savings of 30% on cosy dressing gowns and blankets.

With Mother's Day set for Sunday 30 March, the timing is perfect to buy a present and ensure it gets delivered in time. Shoppers have been heaping praise on the Oodie dressing gowns in particular, with the brand's offerings being described both as 'a long-lasting essential' but also 'irresistably snuggly' by fans.

As reported by the Mirror, the brand's Fluffy Dressing Gown comes in 'really pretty' colours, including lilac, pink, white, and sage green. It usually retails at £65, however it can now be snapped up for £45.50.

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For people who prefer a more vibrant pattern, Oodie's striped dressing gown has been slashed from £75 to £52.50. More than 500 customer have reviewed it to date, with one thrilled customer saying: "This fabric is magical. I have never had a robe that feels like this."

They added: "I love the oversized hood, the length of the robe itself, and the deep pockets that hold my phone and water bottle. The comfort that this robe provides is unparalleled. It can instantly make you fall asleep and offers the cuddliest support ever."

A second buyer purchased the dressing gown for a family member and wrote: "She absolutely loves it, she says is so soft and warm, and the best part is the sleeves are fitted which is so good."

Shoppers are loving the striped dressing gown (Image: Oodie)

Someone else commented "Just love this dressing gown for the times I get out of the shower or bath with wet hair and a robe is in order... it's like wearing marshmallows in the beautiful countryside on a summer's day. I'm so obsessed I've bought two more for presents. Love doesn't cover it."

Another customer said: "I recently got the Lilac Oodie Fluffy Gown, and I couldn't be happier with it. From the moment I slipped it on, I was enveloped in a cloud of buttery-soft comfort.

"The shade of lilac is absolutely adorable. Its super-soft fabric, with a unique dual texture (fluffy on one side and a cosy sherpa-like finish on the other), makes it irresistibly snuggly. I find myself reaching for it every time I need to relax after a long day, whether I'm curling up with a book or enjoying a leisurely weekend brunch at home.

"What I also appreciate is its practical design. The generous fit, roomy hood, and patch pockets add both style and functionality, ensuring that it's not only a comfort piece but also a versatile part of my loungewear collection. Plus, it's so easy to care for, making it a long-lasting essential."

Oodie offers a trio of sizes for their dressing gowns; S/M, M/L, and Oodie Fit, aiming to fit most customers comfortably. Unfortunately not everyone's been thrilled with the fit.

One shopper explained: "I am a UK size XL in normal clothes so thought the Oodie size thinking it would be plenty big enough. But the item arrived, and the material is lovely as usual with Oodie, but the sizing is very off, the dressing gown does go round me, but only just, not in the huge oversized way I was expecting."

Stripy dressing gowns are popular at the moment, with brands like Chelsea Peers also jumping on the bandwagon. The retailer's Cotton Towelling Stripe Dressing Gown will set you back £75 and is available in green or taupe. If you're not into stripes, M&S offers a Pure Cotton Towelling Dressing Gown in white, lemon, or peach for £45.

It's not only dressing gowns receiving a price drop at Oodie; they've got a selection of blankets on sale, too. The adorable Miffy Blanket is down to £48.30 from its original price of £69.

The Miffy Blanket is included in Oodie's Mother's Day sale (Image: Oodie)

Meanwhile, with summer on the horizon, the Sapphire Emerald Cooling Blanket from Oodie could be the ideal gift. It's currently selling for £69.30, a big reduction from the usual £99.

Customers are singing praises for the new product which is made from a breathable, moisture-wicking material. One thrilled customer commented: "I overheat really easily in summer, this blanket has been life-changing. I can actually sleep at night, relax after work and just not get as irritable in the heat."

On Trustpilot, feedback was glowing, though not without a small hiccup regarding size: "The Oodie cooling blanket is also very comforting. I bought a single and then a Queen size. My only criticism is that they are smaller than expected."

Someone else wrote: "Bought this on a whim. My partner and I are hot sleepers, and it's so comfy. Light as a feather and it's so soft. All my kids now want one. Very fast delivery as well."

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