News 3 July to 9 July
A woman has admitted to murdering her parents four years ago following an investigation led by our Serious Crime Directorate.
Virginia McCullough, 36, killed her father John, aged 70 at the time of his death, and mother Lois, aged 71 at the time of her death, at their home in Pump Hill, Great Baddow.
After carrying out the murders, which she told us took place at some stage in the summer of 2019, she concealed their bodies within the property and continued to live at the address.
To cover her tracks, she told persistent lies about their whereabouts, frequently telling doctors and relatives her parents were unwell, on holiday or away on lengthy trips.
Her actions were uncovered after her parents’ GPs raised concerns over missed appointments in 2023.
An investigation was launched and, on Friday 15 September 2023, officers from our Operational Support Group executed a warrant at the Pump Hill address.
In the moments afterwards, she confessed to poisoning her father with prescription medication and stabbing her mother shortly afterwards.
She went on to admit two counts of murder during a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday 4 July.
She will be sentenced at the same court on 10 October.
Lord Alan Sugar has thanked Essex Police following an impressive investigation by the Economic Crime Unit, after the daughters of a serial burglar have been ordered to pay back almost £100,000.
A money laundering investigation into Tailah Morris-Buisson, 30 and Bella Morris-Buisson, 26 was launched following the conviction of David Buisson in 2018.
David Buisson was jailed for eight years in 2018 after pleading guilty to 11 counts of burglary dwelling and two counts of attempted burglary. Buisson targeted houses and businesses across Epping Forest and Canvey Island between December 2015 and June 2017, stealing almost £1 million worth of items.
He was detained under a European Arrest Warrant in Spain in April 2018 after fleeing to Fuengirola.
Following his conviction and sentence, Buisson was ordered to pay compensation to eight of his victims, including over £173,000 to Lord Alan Sugar, whose property had been targeted.
Officers tackling shoplifting secure nine charges
A man has been charged with six counts of breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order and three counts of theft following an investigation by community policing team officers.
Kieran Spilling, 40, of no fixed address, is alleged to have breached a five-year order banning him from entering certain shops in Chelmsford.
The order further prohibits him from carrying open containers of alcohol in public and from being intoxicated in a public place.
He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 6 July, where he was remanded in custody until a hearing at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday 15 July.
 Drugs and cash seized in strike
Officers working to tackle drug dealing and associated anti-social behaviour in Chelmsford seized cocaine and more than £1,000 in cash following a strike on an address.
Chelmsford’s town centre team acted upon reports received from the public and intelligence gathered, executing a warrant at an address in New Writtle Street, on Wednesday 26 June.
Inside the address, officers seized amounts of cocaine and cannabis, alongside cash, deal bags, a suspected burner phone and scales.
Two men arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
Two men are in custody after being arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, following a serious assault in Chelmsford.
Officers were called to Seymour Street, close to the entrance of Central Park at around 6:40pm on Friday, 28 June following reports of a man being seriously assaulted.
The victim, a man in his 20s was taken to hospital with multiple stab wounds. He remains in hospital in a stable condition.
A cordon remained in place across the weekend and officers have carried out multiple enquiries in the area this week, including gathering CCTV and obtaining statements from witnesses.
On Friday 5 July, officers arrested two men on suspicion of attempted murder.
The 19-year-old man from Witham and the 20-year-old man from Brentwood remain in custody.
 Let's talk
Upcoming community police events
Thursday 11 July 9am to 12pm Broomfield Hospital Atruim, Court Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford CM1 7ET
Saturday 13 July 9am to 10am Parkrun, Central Park, Chelmsford
Saturday 13 July 10am to 11am Quadrant Department Store, 220 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford CM2 0LS
Saturday 13 July 1pm to 3pm Indoor Market, Bellmead, Chelmsford CM1 1LE
Wednesday 24 July 10.30am to 11.30am Chelmsford Library, Chelmsford County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford CM1 1QH
Saturday 27 July 9am to 10am
Parkrun, Central Park, Chelmsford
 Crime prevention advice
Tips for dealing with a violent situation
t's very hard to know how to respond to a violent situation, as things can develop very quickly, requiring fast decisions.
We’ve compiled a list of things you should do in the highly unlikely event that you find yourself in a violent situation.
It’s important to never lose sight of the fact that your personal safety is the most important thing. Your belongings can be replaced but you can’t. So, when responding to a violent situation, please try to remember the following:
- trust your instincts and if you think a situation is getting worse, try not to get involved
- look for a way to leave
- if you’re in a building with security personnel, tell them immediately about what is happening
- put distance between yourself and the other person
- if you are able to, call 999
- if you’re unable to call the police during the incident, then call as soon as you can
If it comes to the worst, you are entitled to defend yourself using reasonable force, but you may be asked to account for and justify any action you take.
Be fraud smart
Shopping online can save time and effort and gives you a wide choice of goods from around the world. Unfortunately, while most buyers and sellers are genuine, fraudsters use online shopping scams because they can hide their identity and target many victims at the same time.
 I want to have a personalised numberplate with fancy writing, what are the requirements?
There are a number of legal requirements in relation to the display and format of number plates. Basically, you must not:
-
alter, rearrange or misrepresent the letters or numbers,
-
characters must not be moved from one group to the other,
-
character size and spacing must comply with the regulations.
Offences in relation to the above may result in any or all of the following:
For more information in relation to the format and display of number plates, please see the link in related information.
|
