Round-Up: The Echo's top 10 most-read crime and court stories during June 2026

The Southend Echo published its top 10 most-read crime and court stories from June 2026, featuring high-profile Essex cases including drug dealers, sexual offenders, and violent criminals sentenced at Basildon and Southend Crown Courts. Notable cases included Wickford drug dealer Tony Cooley jailed for attacking and strangling a woman, and Fletcher Darnell convicted of chopping a schoolboy's arm with a knife after mistaking him for someone else. The roundup also highlighted multiple convictions for child exploitation and sexual abuse offenses across the region.