Fisherman's Friends: Manslaughter accused refuses to give evidence
Earthquake confirmed in Cornwall by the British Geological Survey
Elderly and disabled care 'crisis due to shortage of workers'
Teenager remanded over 'suspicious device' found on Tube
South West's poppy appeal launched today
Salcombe lifeboat disaster: Sand bar claimed 13 lives in 1916
Updates on Thursday 27 October 2016
A Russian skipper who was so drunk that his chief mate had to take over his 2,500-tonne cargo ship as it made its way into Fowey has been sentenced to two months in prison, external.
Hamish Marshall
BBC Spotlight
The man accused of causing the death of a member of the Cornish shanty group Fisherman's Friends and the group's tour manager has decided not to give evidence at his trial.
Singer Trevor Grills, from Port Isaac, and the group's manager Paul McMullen from Cheshire, died when they were hit by a falling door at G Live in Guildford in February 2013.
The defence case for David Naylor, who ran the company which supplied the door, began today as the trial entered a fourth week.
His barrister Adrian Darbishire told the court Mr Naylor would not be giving evidence.
Two savvy shopkeepers are on a mission to bring a tired Plymouth street back to its former glory, external.
The historic Bampton Charter Fair is taking place today.
The fair dates back to 1258 when it got a Royal Charter.
More than 100 stalls are lining the streets and rare breed ponies are on show.
Heidi Davey
BBC Spotlight
The Poppy Appeal has been launched today by the Royal British Legion.
A special event at Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth is marking the partnership between the Royal Navy in the South West and the Royal British Legion.
A large model poppy has been lowered from a Royal Navy helicopter into the base before being transported to the Naval Heritage Centre.
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One of the country’s most high profile legal figures is coming to Plymouth to deliver the 23rd annual Pilgrim Fathers lecture.
The Rt Hon Sir Brian Leveson, who chaired an inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of UK media from 2011-2012, will be speaking about criminal law in the 21st Century at the event on Friday 18 November.
He will become the latest leading lawyer to attend the lecture series, which commemorates the Pilgrim Fathers voyage to America in 1620 and embodies the themes of freedom and human rights.
Dr Dan Gilling, head of the Plymouth Law School at the University of Plymouth, said: “The Pilgrim Fathers lecture has always been a highlight of the city’s legal calendar, and a chance to hear from some of the leading lights in the profession.
"Sir Brian Leveson is certainly one of those, and I hope our students and staff will be inspired by listening to someone whose work has had a major impact on public life as a whole.”
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An earthquake in Cornwall has been causing quite a stir on social media. Here's some of your comments on the BBC Spotlight Facebook, external page...
Francis: I just woke up and heard a deep prolonged rumble....thought it was a quake....checked media... Nothing....at least now I know it was!
Graham: It woke me at 03.07 with shaking and rumbling noise.
Margaret: I was woken up at 3.06 according to my clock by what I thought was a gale roaring outside. It passed after a few seconds.... St Ives area.
Toys R Us in Plymouth will go silent for one hour next month to give autistic children the chance to explore, external the store.
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The Herald, external: 'Earthquake' shakes Cornwall in early hours of this morning
The Mirror, external: Cornwall hit by earthquake as residents report 'loud booming' noises in early hours of the morning
West Briton, external: 3am earthquake wakes Cornwall residents after 30 second rumble
Shaun Sawyer, Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, is in Rome this week representing the UK at an international anti-slavery conference.
Mr Sawyer is attending the conference, organised by the Catholic Church, on behalf of all UK Police Forces.
It will look at eradicating human trafficking and modern slavery.
Press Association
Damon Smith has appeared in court charged with sparking a security alert after an explosive device was found on a Tube train.
Mr Smith, 19, of Abbeyfield Road in Southwark, south-east London, was held by Metropolitan Police after two members of the public discovered a backpack on a Jubilee line service on October 20.
A controlled explosion was carried out on the item.
Police investigating the case also searched a home in Devon, where Mr Smith had lived until six months earlier.
Defence counsel Simon Eastwood indicated that his client, who has a form of autism, would be pleading not guilty on the grounds that it was a prank.
Image source, TwitterA Facebook page described as 'hateful' and 'racist' has disappeared after a myriad of complaints, external.
Press Association
A teenager has appeared in court charged with sparking a security alert after an explosive device was found on a Tube train.
Damon Smith, 19, of Abbeyfield Road in Southwark, spoke only to confirm his name and address when he stood before senior district judge Emma Arbuthnot at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London.
He entered no plea to the charge of unlawfully and maliciously making or possessing an unspecified explosive substance with an intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property.
Police investigating the case also searched a home in Devon, where Mr Smith had lived until six months earlier.
Claire Jones
BBC News Online
Police are "increasingly concerned" for a missing man, 77, from Exeter.
Lesley Roger Irish is from the Heavitree area of the city and last made contact with his family on Monday evening.
Image source, Devon and Cornwall PoliceHe is described as being 5’ 5” tall and is likely to be wearing a coat, walking boots and rucksack. He may be driving a seven-year-old red Mitsubishi Colt saloon.
It is thought Mr Irish might have travelled to the Jurassic Coast area of Dorset.
When I spoke from the steps of Downing Street as Prime Minister for the first time, I said my Government would use Brexit to create a bold new positive role for Britain in the world, external.
BBC Travel
Emma Thomasson
BBC Spotlight
Today marks 100 years since the Salcombe lifeboat disaster.
The lifeboat had gone to the aid of a schooner off Prawle Point but her crew had already been rescued.
The William and Emma turned for home, but capsized in gale force winds, Thirteen of the 15 crew drowned.
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BBC Travel
