Charles Thomson
@cethomson.bsky.social
Newsquest Crime & Investigations Journalist (Essex)
4x Weekly Reporter of the Year
2x Crime & Investigative Reporter of the Year
4x Weekly Reporter of the Year
2x Crime & Investigative Reporter of the Year
Essex drug dealer Codey Nolan has gone on trial for murder, accused of kicking Hassan Bousanguar to death in a block of flats above a Basildon shopping parade.
My report from the courtroom:
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2566637...
My report from the courtroom:
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2566637...
Drug dealer denies kicking 'lovely character' to death in Basildon murder trial
Codey Nolan is on trial at Basildon Crown Court, accused of kicking to death 'lovely' local man Hassan Bousanguar.
www.echo-news.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Essex drug dealer Codey Nolan has gone on trial for murder, accused of kicking Hassan Bousanguar to death in a block of flats above a Basildon shopping parade.
My report from the courtroom:
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2566637...
My report from the courtroom:
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2566637...
A man is suing Essex Police in part to highlight 'gender bias' in domestic violence cases, a jury has heard.
Mel Pilgrim says he was the real victim, but police failed to prosecute his wife and trumped up charges against him.
The trial began yesterday.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2566395...
Mel Pilgrim says he was the real victim, but police failed to prosecute his wife and trumped up charges against him.
The trial began yesterday.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2566395...
Developer suing Essex Police in part to highlight 'gender bias', trial hears
A LEIGH man is suing Essex Police in part to highlight “gender bias in the system”, his lawyer has told jurors
www.echo-news.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
A man is suing Essex Police in part to highlight 'gender bias' in domestic violence cases, a jury has heard.
Mel Pilgrim says he was the real victim, but police failed to prosecute his wife and trumped up charges against him.
The trial began yesterday.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2566395...
Mel Pilgrim says he was the real victim, but police failed to prosecute his wife and trumped up charges against him.
The trial began yesterday.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2566395...
A leaked government document proposes scrapping jury trials in the name of expediency, after persistent justice system budget cuts created a years-long trial backlog.
But is axing juries really the answer?
I spoke to Essex lawyers and national experts.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2565799...
But is axing juries really the answer?
I spoke to Essex lawyers and national experts.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2565799...
'A terrible idea': Can scrapping jury trials really fix Essex's court backlog?
The Echo spoke asked experts about a leaked Labour proposal to scrap jury trials in all but the most serious cases. Can it really fix Essex's court…
www.echo-news.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 8:45 AM
A leaked government document proposes scrapping jury trials in the name of expediency, after persistent justice system budget cuts created a years-long trial backlog.
But is axing juries really the answer?
I spoke to Essex lawyers and national experts.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2565799...
But is axing juries really the answer?
I spoke to Essex lawyers and national experts.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2565799...
Reposted by Charles Thomson
This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started
November 30, 2025 at 9:57 AM
This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started
Reposted by Charles Thomson
“I bought this house when it was only 300k and now it’s worth 2m, why should I have to leave because I can’t afford a tax???” - so you’re saying you’ve made over a million quid in profit off a house just by it existing and you’re now complaining that’s getting taxed a bit
November 27, 2025 at 12:43 PM
“I bought this house when it was only 300k and now it’s worth 2m, why should I have to leave because I can’t afford a tax???” - so you’re saying you’ve made over a million quid in profit off a house just by it existing and you’re now complaining that’s getting taxed a bit
Reposted by Charles Thomson
All of this “woe is me my house is now really expensive and so a tax is unfair” stuff completely negates to acknowledge the implicit fact that the house owner has made an insane profit by doing absolutely nothing
November 27, 2025 at 12:41 PM
All of this “woe is me my house is now really expensive and so a tax is unfair” stuff completely negates to acknowledge the implicit fact that the house owner has made an insane profit by doing absolutely nothing
Reposted by Charles Thomson
Well, this is quite a serious allegation. I do hope the BBC shows true impartiality and investigate whether or not some of its Board members are systemically biased. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC board member with Tory links ‘led charge’ in systemic bias claims, say insiders
Sources say Robbie Gibb amplified criticisms of Trump, Gaza and trans rights coverage, and had ‘a lot of oxygen in the room’
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Well, this is quite a serious allegation. I do hope the BBC shows true impartiality and investigate whether or not some of its Board members are systemically biased. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
What a coincidence that Fleet Street’s pathetic histrionics over the BBC’s horrifying decision to, er, play Donald Trump’s own words, has killed any discussion that might have followed the devastating ‘The Real Hack’ documentary on ITV last night, exposing rampant national newspaper criminality.
November 10, 2025 at 11:00 PM
What a coincidence that Fleet Street’s pathetic histrionics over the BBC’s horrifying decision to, er, play Donald Trump’s own words, has killed any discussion that might have followed the devastating ‘The Real Hack’ documentary on ITV last night, exposing rampant national newspaper criminality.
Reposted by Charles Thomson
Be clear, the American far right are coming for British democracy.
November 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Be clear, the American far right are coming for British democracy.
Reposted by Charles Thomson
Next time someone tells you that train drivers "just push buttons" show them this from the BBC
November 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Next time someone tells you that train drivers "just push buttons" show them this from the BBC
An Essex man walked free on a suspended sentence as a judge criticised the vigilante paedophile hunter behind his arrest.
The vigilante targeted a man with ‘significant’ mental health issues & persisted in pestering him to meet after he repeatedly declined.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2558796...
The vigilante targeted a man with ‘significant’ mental health issues & persisted in pestering him to meet after he repeatedly declined.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2558796...
21-year-old from Basildon spared jail as judge criticises vigilante paedophile hunter
Dante Dilliway received a suspended sentence after admitting trying to meet an underage girl in Gloucester Park.
www.echo-news.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 11:04 AM
An Essex man walked free on a suspended sentence as a judge criticised the vigilante paedophile hunter behind his arrest.
The vigilante targeted a man with ‘significant’ mental health issues & persisted in pestering him to meet after he repeatedly declined.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2558796...
The vigilante targeted a man with ‘significant’ mental health issues & persisted in pestering him to meet after he repeatedly declined.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2558796...
Reposted by Charles Thomson
Reform UK, the Russian spy & rolls of Kremlin cash: the inside story of Nathan Gill
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
By me, @lukeharding1968.bsky.social
@peterwalker99.bsky.social
& Artem Mazhulin
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
By me, @lukeharding1968.bsky.social
@peterwalker99.bsky.social
& Artem Mazhulin
Reform UK, the Russian spy and rolls of Kremlin cash: the inside story of Nathan Gill
How did a former Mormon bishop end up pleading guilty to taking bribes to make statements in favour of Russia in the European parliament?
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Reform UK, the Russian spy & rolls of Kremlin cash: the inside story of Nathan Gill
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
By me, @lukeharding1968.bsky.social
@peterwalker99.bsky.social
& Artem Mazhulin
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
By me, @lukeharding1968.bsky.social
@peterwalker99.bsky.social
& Artem Mazhulin
Reposted by Charles Thomson
The clear thread running through Goodwin's career is the drive to imbue his creepy fixation on immigration with the legitimising authority of supposed mass support. Here, audience members have disqualified themselves from the category of "the people" in his eyes by virtue of disagreeing with him.
Faiza Shaheen, "I'm so proud to be in this room at to hear so many people fight back against this hateful energy from Reform UK's Matt Goodwin - what's wrong with you"
Matt Goodwin, "Do you think this audience reflects Britain?"
#BBCQT
Matt Goodwin, "Do you think this audience reflects Britain?"
#BBCQT
October 31, 2025 at 3:25 PM
The clear thread running through Goodwin's career is the drive to imbue his creepy fixation on immigration with the legitimising authority of supposed mass support. Here, audience members have disqualified themselves from the category of "the people" in his eyes by virtue of disagreeing with him.
Reposted by Charles Thomson
100 per cent this ⬇️
Man with stubble, "Small boats arrivals are 37,000. There are over 4 million kids in child poverty. And 4.5 million who can't get a dentist appointment" #BBCQT
"We spend 90% of the media discourse on the 37,000. How much more could we achieve if we put that effort into the 4.5 million?"
"We spend 90% of the media discourse on the 37,000. How much more could we achieve if we put that effort into the 4.5 million?"
October 31, 2025 at 7:28 PM
100 per cent this ⬇️
EXCLUSIVE: Essex Police has launched a standards investigation after a judge condemned officers' 'hostile, heavy-handed' treatment of a black woman in Grays police station.
Two male officers punched her in the face and one of them called her a c***.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2558009...
Two male officers punched her in the face and one of them called her a c***.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2558009...
Judge slams behaviour of 'hostile and heavy-handed' cops towards south Essex woman
A Basildon judge has condemned Essex Police officers’ treatment of a black woman from Grays, after she was wrongly accused of breaching bail.
www.echo-news.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 4:30 PM
EXCLUSIVE: Essex Police has launched a standards investigation after a judge condemned officers' 'hostile, heavy-handed' treatment of a black woman in Grays police station.
Two male officers punched her in the face and one of them called her a c***.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2558009...
Two male officers punched her in the face and one of them called her a c***.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2558009...
Reposted by Charles Thomson
This is a really important piece
New post just out:
"Never again?"
On how the radical right are trying to change our collective memory about World War Two as part of their assault on the postwar order.
And why that memory remains a critical defence against nationalism.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/n...
"Never again?"
On how the radical right are trying to change our collective memory about World War Two as part of their assault on the postwar order.
And why that memory remains a critical defence against nationalism.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/n...
Never again?
Memory entrepreneurship and the radical right’s assault on the postwar order
open.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:58 AM
This is a really important piece
Reposted by Charles Thomson
Singer Alexandra Burke is to originate the role of Chaka Khan in the world premiere of I’m Every Woman the Musical at London’s Peacock Theatre next year.
Read more 👇
Read more 👇
Alexandra Burke to play Chaka Khan in musical biodrama
Singer Alexandra Burke is to originate the role of Chaka Khan in the world premiere of I’m Every Woman the Musical at London’s Peacock Theatre next year
www.thestage.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Singer Alexandra Burke is to originate the role of Chaka Khan in the world premiere of I’m Every Woman the Musical at London’s Peacock Theatre next year.
Read more 👇
Read more 👇
Reposted by Charles Thomson
whoever runs the BBC push notifications team at the moment: are you aware there are news stories out there that *aren't* about crimes perpetrated by migrants
October 27, 2025 at 12:52 PM
whoever runs the BBC push notifications team at the moment: are you aware there are news stories out there that *aren't* about crimes perpetrated by migrants
This jaw-dropping special, rounding up Private Eye’s years of investigation into the Teesside regeneration debacle, is the kind of proper, public interest reporting that should be setting the news agenda. While we’re force-fed relentless scaremongering about refugees, real scandals evade scrutiny.
October 26, 2025 at 12:29 PM
This jaw-dropping special, rounding up Private Eye’s years of investigation into the Teesside regeneration debacle, is the kind of proper, public interest reporting that should be setting the news agenda. While we’re force-fed relentless scaremongering about refugees, real scandals evade scrutiny.
THREAD: I was in court yesterday as Essex drug dealer Zack O'Keeffe received a life sentence for murdering a customer.
He stabbed Kieran Shepherd in the back after Shepherd stole two wraps of cocaine from him.
The whole case was immensely sad...
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2556628...
He stabbed Kieran Shepherd in the back after Shepherd stole two wraps of cocaine from him.
The whole case was immensely sad...
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2556628...
Basildon drug dealer jailed for life with a minimum of 23 years for murder
Laindon drug dealer Zack O'Keeffe has been sentenced to life in prison for the Chelmsford murder of Kieran Shepherd last year.
www.echo-news.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 7:57 AM
THREAD: I was in court yesterday as Essex drug dealer Zack O'Keeffe received a life sentence for murdering a customer.
He stabbed Kieran Shepherd in the back after Shepherd stole two wraps of cocaine from him.
The whole case was immensely sad...
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2556628...
He stabbed Kieran Shepherd in the back after Shepherd stole two wraps of cocaine from him.
The whole case was immensely sad...
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2556628...
A 16-year-old boy caught with a gun in Essex has been relocated after claiming he was a victim of modern slavery.
He appeared in court today by video link to plead guilty to firearm possession.
The court heard he and his family had been threatened.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2555722...
He appeared in court today by video link to plead guilty to firearm possession.
The court heard he and his family had been threatened.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2555722...
Basildon boy, 16, caught with gun is relocated over 'modern slavery' claim
A 16-year-old Basildon boy caught with a gun has been relocated after claiming he was a victim of modern slavery.
www.echo-news.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 3:46 PM
A 16-year-old boy caught with a gun in Essex has been relocated after claiming he was a victim of modern slavery.
He appeared in court today by video link to plead guilty to firearm possession.
The court heard he and his family had been threatened.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2555722...
He appeared in court today by video link to plead guilty to firearm possession.
The court heard he and his family had been threatened.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2555722...
EXCLUSIVE: Energy company UK Power Networks is to go on trial in Essex after an employee died in an explosion.
The firm pleaded not guilty this afternoon to two charges brought by the Health and Safety Executive.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2555751...
The firm pleaded not guilty this afternoon to two charges brought by the Health and Safety Executive.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2555751...
Energy firm facing trial after employee, 27, died in south Essex work accident
Electricity firm UK Power Networks (Operations) Ltd faces trial at Basildon Crown Court over the death of an employee in Thurrock.
www.echo-news.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 3:44 PM
EXCLUSIVE: Energy company UK Power Networks is to go on trial in Essex after an employee died in an explosion.
The firm pleaded not guilty this afternoon to two charges brought by the Health and Safety Executive.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2555751...
The firm pleaded not guilty this afternoon to two charges brought by the Health and Safety Executive.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2555751...
Reposted by Charles Thomson
I mean, quite literally fascism on display here
October 5, 2025 at 5:44 PM
I mean, quite literally fascism on display here
A ‘respected’ Essex lawyer has been warned to expect a prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to fraud, submitting more than £14,000 in bogus expenses claims on legal aid cases.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2551308...
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2551308...
Respected south Essex lawyer faces prison over £14,000 in fraudulent expenses
Grays solicitor Umar Kankiya pleaded guilty at Basildon Crown Court to three fraud charges, over 120 fake travel expenses claims at Sternberg Reed…
www.echo-news.co.uk
October 3, 2025 at 6:10 AM
A ‘respected’ Essex lawyer has been warned to expect a prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to fraud, submitting more than £14,000 in bogus expenses claims on legal aid cases.
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2551308...
www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2551308...