Tragic Discovery

An investigation has been launched after human remains were found at Oakwood Pond in Harlow on the afternoon of Saturday 31st December. Officers were called to Oakwood Pond, Fourth Avenue following reports of a suspicious object in the water. Specialist forensic officers have since confirmed that these are human remains. A few days later Essex Police confirmed they have launched a murder investigation Work to drain the pond has begun as part of the work to gather evidence. Specialist police search advisors have been working at the scene since the discovery to carry out searches in the area and our officers have been amongst the community, carrying out house to house enquiries. On 5th Thursday, Essex Police confirmed the human remains belong to 59 year-old Phillip Lewis. Phillip lived in Harlow for many years and was known as ‘Scottish Phil’. On 4th January, a 52 year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder, while a 23 year-old has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. The 52 year old man has since been charged and the 23 year old man has been bailed until March. A dedicated phone line has been set up specifically for this investigation and can be reached on 0800 051 4526. A Major Incident Public Portal has also been set up here as a way for the public to submit information. If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us. Source: Essex Police

Teenage Burglar Arrested

A teenage burglar who targeted Essex & Bedfordshire homes for high-value, prestige vehicles has been jailed for two years and eight months. Patrick Clark, 18, was arrested on 24 March 2022 after an Audi S5 he was involved in stealing failed to stop for officers and drove off, reaching speeds of more than 150mph. When it was stopped, face coverings, an axe, cannabis and gloves were found inside. These were soon linked to two burglaries in Harlow and Biggleswade in Bedfordshire. Subsequent inquiries by Essex and Bedfordshire detectives quickly linked Clark to more attempted burglaries and other offences in Harlow and Epping, as well as Potton and Sandy in Bedfordshire. Clark, of Harpenden, Hertfordshire, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on 7th December, having previously admitted conspiracy to burgle 13 properties in Essex and Bedfordshire, conspiracy to steal four cars, aggravated vehicletaking and theft of alcohol. He’d also asked for 21 other offences to be taken into consideration, involving 14 attempted burglaries, making off without payment from three businesses, burgling a home in Epping to take car keys and stealing a Volkswagen Polo, and two thefts of vehicle index plates from vehicles. All the offences were committed in February and March 2022. Clark was also disqualified from driving for two years and seven months and he was ordered to take an extended retest, his driving licence was endorsed for driving without insurance and he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge.