A man has been charged with assaulting a police officer after they discovered him with a breakdown recovery van which was reported stolen.

It was stolen in Sandy Lane at about 9.30pm on Saturday, March 17, while the driver was attending a call-out. 

A 44-year-old man from County Armagh was arrested in Aveley Road, Upminster, and subsequently charged with taking a vehicle without consent, three counts of assaulting a police officer with intent to resist arrest and drink-driving. 

Kieran Magure, of Caramoyle in Keady is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court today, Monday, March 19.