From stabbings to perverting the court of justice here are some of the cases in the courts this week.

A MAN tried to frame his friend for stealing a cash and mobile phone but was caught when police spotted the pair shopping together on CCTV.

Michael Hayes, 36, of King Edward Road, Laindon, told police his friend robbed him, leading to the man being arrested and on bail before officers discovered CCTV proving Hayes was lying.

Hayes, who suffers from Schizophrenia, has been a crack cocaine addict since he was 16, was involved the robbery of a man in Basildon at gun point when hundreds of pounds and war medals were taken last May. He appeared at Basildon Crown Court where he avoided jail.

A TEENAGER cut a man with a samurai sword and beat him and two others during an incident in a street, a court heard.

The youngster allegedly attacked the trio in Gardener Avenue, Corringham after agreeing to meet with a group to discuss a previous incident with another youth, a jury at Basildon Crown Court was told yesterday.

It was agreed with family and friends they would all meet and agree there would be no more issues between the pair.

But instead the teenager got out of the car with a sword and started swinging it around and threatening victims, the court heard.

A MAN has admitted possessing a knife in connection with the fatal stabbing of teenager Luke Bellfield, saying he carried the blade “in self defence”.

Alfie Pollard, 18, of Woodside, Leigh appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with possession of a bladed article and possession of a Class B drug.

The court was told how Luke Bellfield had chased Pollard who “retaliated” and stabbed him.

Pollard said he’d had previous issues with a rival gang and had chosen to arm himself.

He admitted the two charges during Monday’s court hearing at Southend Magistrates’ Court.

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A FORMER teacher who had sex with a pupil has been jailed and ordered to pay £10,000 in compensation to his victim.

Christopher Sillitoe, 72, sexually abused the girl while working at a school in Basildon.

He was jailed for more than four years at Basildon Crown Court yesterday where the court heard he and the girl engaged in various sexual activities while she was a pupil at the school.

He was charged with eight counts of indecent assault following more than 44 incidents which date back to the seventies.

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A MAN has appeared in court charged with murdering a man in Pitsea and drug offences.

Edward Roberts, 47, of St Mary’s Crescent, Pitsea, appeared before Southend Magistrates’ Court yesterday following a police probe into the death.

Roberts was charged with murder and conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine in relation to two separate investigations.

During the short hearing before Southend magistrates, Roberts stood in the dock wearing a grey tracksuit and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

He did not enter a plea to any of the charges before him.

His court appearance follows the death of a 67-year-old man from Pitsea.