Nov 11 - Everything Epping Forest

Everything Epping ForestPage 18 of 33THE wife of a man killed in a road crash at Stapleford Tawney which led to a landmarkconviction for Essex Police has said she will find it difficult to forgive the couple whocaused his death.The collision happened on the A113 Ongar Road when a Ford Puma struck a pedalcyclist on shortly after 7pm on Sunday, June 13 last year.The cyclist, Steven Rodway, 38, a vehicle assessor, from Hutton, was certified dead atthe scene.Two people were arrested at the scene.In September this year the driver of the Ford Puma, engineer Alex Dexter, 23, ofTorrington Gardens, Loughton, pleaded guilty to one count of causing death by carelessdriving, one count of causing death while uninsured and one count of causing deathwithout having a driving licence.Last month bar steward Lauren Mellish, 22, from Orchard Lane, Pilgrims Hatch, who wasthe passenger in the Ford Puma and owned the vehicle, pleaded guilty to aiding andabetting Dexter who caused the death of Steven Rodway while driving without insurance.Police believe this is the first time a person has been convicted of aiding and abetting adriver who caused the death of another while driving without insurance.The two had previously been partners.At Chelmsford Crown Court today (November 14) Dexter was jailed for 15 months whileLauren Mellish was jailed for six months.Outside court, Steven's wife, Marrissa Rodway, 35, said: "Alex Dexter and Lauren Mellishhave turned our lives upside down and I know I will find it hard to forgive them for theheartache they have caused our family."Senior Investigating Officer Inspector Keith Whiting, said: "Alex Dexter drove the carwithout a licence or insurance and with the full knowledge of the owner, his then girlfriend,Lauren Mellish."They showed a disregard for people's safety with their actions resulting in the death ofSteven who was simply out riding his bike on a Sunday afternoon."They have taken the life of a young man who was a loving father and husband. They gotout of the car and made up a story to cover themselves, without offering Steven anyassistance."He added: "I have never known such callous actions at the scene of a fatal collision. Iwould like to thank Marrissa and the rest of Steven's family for the support they havegiven the investigation team."My officers have completed a meticulous investigation resulting in the first prosecution ofthis kind nationally. I hope this prosecution sends a strong message to anyone who lendstheir car to someone unlawfully."In a statement, Marrissa Rodway, added: "If I summed up Steven in three words it wouldbe: loving, proud and hardworking; while his friends would say: reliable, the organiser andthe joker."As a father, Steven doted on his girls. It came natural for him to take care, love andtease them from day one of their lives. Being parents and running our home was done bySteven and me very much as a team."Steven and I shared a love of life which has rubbed off in our children. Skiing andimproving our home were Stevens's main passions other than his family."When I met him, I wasn't into skiing. It was too cold for me I thought, but very soon hetalked me round to loving it too; he could talk anyone round to his way of thinking."Another example of this is when we brought our family home, the agents told us theelderly lady living in it would not let anyone view it, Steven knew I loved the house sincechildhood and knocked on the lady's door and soon we were offered in for a cup of tea."Now each day I worry for my girls feelings; how this has affected them and what effectsthey are going through which I don't know of. Erica, who is now aged two, does not knowwhat a daddy is and calls men of whom she doesn't know their name 'daddy' becauseshe sees her friends doing so, but to the right person."Harriett, who is now six, frequently reminisces of the many things Steven used to do withher, making pancakes and boiled eggs on a Sunday morning, secret sign language for 'Ilove you' and flipping her over with ease."She has had many hurdles to overcome in the first year without her daddy: Her birthday,Father's Day, school and family holidays to name a few. "He would do anything foranyone; close family, friends, work colleagues or just a passing person who needed helpor advice."Virtually everywhere we went he would see someone he knew to say 'hello' to orsometimes more as he did like to have a chat."His close friends have told me many funny stories of him in his earlier days and I knowthere are many more to hear. Steven always had a witty comment to say and he knew theanswers."He would have celebrated his 40th birthday this year which he would have celebratedwith all those he knew, but sadly he never got there as he was taken from us by twopeople who choose to break the law by travelling in a car unlawfully."For me, I live for my children now. Of course I am lonely and it doesn't matter how manypeople I have around me I'm still lonely without Steven. As corny as it sounds, Stevenwas my soul partner."We always shared time together, when we were not at work, visiting family and friends orjust in the house with the girls relaxing or while one was improving the home the otherwas always around; I miss that partnership."What he lacked in I complimented and vice versa for me. I miss that look and smile andeverything else that came with Steven Rodway."Harriett, Erica and I are very lucky to have close family and many friends that have beenrocks around us to help. In this case it's very true; without them it would have been verydifficult."Both Dexter and Mellish were disqualified from driving for three years and ordered to takeextended driving tests before reapplying for their licences.Pupils make their own poppy wreaths3.52pm - 14th November 2011PUPILS at Theydon Bois Primary School made their own poppy wreaths and took part ina special Remembrance Day service.All 308 pupils at the Orchard Drive school were involved in Friday's service whichincluded the hymn 'I Vow To Thee My Country', the two-minute silence, The Last Post,Revielle, a prayer and the National Anthem.During the service pupil representatives laid their specially-made wreaths at the flagpoleoutside the school's reception.Head teacher Elspeth Bonds said: "Every year we do our own Armistice Service. Wehave already gone through with the children the symbolism of the poppy and theceremony which helps them understand the meaning behind the service and the period ofRemembrance, why we have the two-minute silence and what the Armistice is all about."Each of the school's 11 classes made a poppy wreath which was laid outside the school.Poppy seeds from Flanders were scattered during the short ceremony.Four children have a parent currently serving overseas.Year 6 pupil Lauren Tebbutt, ten, whose father is currently in Afghanistan, said: "I learntthe meaning of Armistice Day and why we have it, and why it is on the 11th day of the11th month at 11 o'clock."She added: "These people fought for our country when the war was on and they tried tosave lives, and that is what they are doing now."They sacrificed their lives for us."01/01/2012