Terror Marine Ciarán Maxwell 'made 14 pipe bombs', court hears
--- In February, Maxwell, 31, admitted a number of offences, including bomb-making and storing stolen military weapons
--- Maxwell lived in Exminster, Devon, and was based with 40 Commando in Taunton, Somerset. He never served in Northern Ireland
--- The court hearing at the Old Bailey will decide how long he will serve in prison
About 170 jobs at risk at two Devon businesses
Teignmouth's Beachcomber Cafe severely damaged by fire
Devon free school 'didn't enter pupils for GCSEs'
MPs urged to delay introduction of Universal Credit benefits
Council fines own waste company £42k over missed collections
Updates on Wednesday 26 July 2017
Andrew Segal
Local Live
A car has been destroyed in an arson attack in Plymouth, firefighters say, external.
A fire crew was deployed to the vehicle in Blandford Road at about 03:20 and found it well alight.
Firefighters confirmed the cause was deliberate.
Andrew Segal
Local Live
A hide containing explosives and other equipment in Devon also contained a modified booby-trapped torch which, when armed, would explode if turned on, a court has heard.
A three-day hearing is under way at the Old Bailey to sentence Ciarán Maxwell, 31, originally from Larne in Co Antrim, after he admitted charges earlier this year of preparing terrorist acts.
Maxwell had hides across Northern Ireland and England, including in Powderham New Plantation, near Teignbridge in Devon. It was here the deadly torch was found.
Image source, Police Service of Northern IrelandLast March, police said bomb-making parts had been found in barrels hidden in a wooded area in Carnfunnock County Park in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Two months later, another "terrorist hide" was found in Capanagh Forest, near Larne in the province.
Officers described it as one of the most significant arms finds in recent years.
Of particular concern to security chiefs was the discovery of military grade anti-personnel mines (pictured).
Pipe bombs and parts for making explosive devices also made up part of the haul. Their serial numbers revealed they had been taken from the Royal Marines base in Somerset where Maxwell was based.
The hearing continues.
Pool Academy has come under intense fire over the way it has handled cases of bullying, external over the years.
BBC Three
For the past 10 months, my girlfriend and I have been living in a converted minibus instead of a house.
When we met, I was just starting to think about it, and she was on board straight away. She’s quite environmentally conscious, so the idea probably appealed to her for that reason. The truth is, we've never been happier.
Image source, Nick HaywardWe call our minibus 'Chugg'. It's 20 years old and we converted it ourselves, stripping out everything to create what is basically a flat on wheels. We’ve insulated it, put in a bed, a kitchen, an oven, a fridge, a shower, a toilet, a hob and solar panels on the roof for electricity and hot water.
Basically, it has most things a small flat would have, but we don’t have to pay any rent where I am in Devon now.
A long established Newton Abbot manufacturer has announced plans to close, external - which will lead to the loss of around 120 jobs.
Andrew Segal
Local Live
A Royal Marine who made pipe bombs and hid explosives "inevitably" must have been taken weapons to Northern Ireland, a prosecutor has told a court.
A three-day hearing is under way at the Old Bailey to sentence Ciarán Maxwell, 31, originally from Larne in Co Antrim, after he admitted charges earlier this year of preparing terrorist acts. He was arrested in Somerset while serving with 40 Commando.
Prosecutor Richard Whittam QC told the Old Bailey that, out of 14 pipe bombs made by Maxwell, four had been deployed in Northern Ireland and "it is our case that some of the items inevitably must have been taken from the UK to Northern Ireland by this defendant".
He added: "It may be that, when travelling between England and the UK, bearing in mind the identity cards he would have had, and his position, his passage would have been easier than others to take items with him."
The hearing continues.
Image source, Police Service of Northern Ireland
People watching fire crews deal with a blaze at one of Teignmouth's most prominent buildings had to be asked to get back while the incident was ongoing, a councillor says.
Four fire appliances tackled the blaze at the Beachcomber Cafe on the promenade after it broke out at about 22:45, external on Tuesday. The building was left severely damaged by fire, heat and smoke.
It's understood many onlookers came from a carnival nearby.
Teignbridge District Councillor Sylvia Russell, who lives in the area, said: "When it was realised that it was a serious situation, and crowds were coming up to watch, they put a note out over the tannoy to say: 'Please clear', because they were getting in the way of the emergency services."
There were no reports of any injuries. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
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Maritime and Coastguard Agency contractor Bristow Helicopters took over the rescue service from the military in January 2016.
Hamish Marshall
BBC Spotlight
A Royal Marine who hid explosives in a Devon wood to make bombs for terror attacks "appeared shocked" when he was arrested, a court has heard.
Thirty-one-year-old Ciarán Maxwell lived in Exminster and was based with 40 Commando in Taunton, Somerset. He was arrested last August at Norton Manor Camp.
As well as admitting preparing terrorist acts, the serviceman, originally from Northern Ireland, also admitted drugs offences.
After his arrest, drugs were found in locker at the camp, including herbal cannabis, cannabis resin, and hallucinogenic drugs DMT and LSD.
The sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey, listed to last up to three days, continues.
BBC News Travel
Kevin Thomas
BBC Weather Forecaster
As low cloud and patches of rain and drizzle clear to the east, sunny spells will develop from early afternoon with a low risk of an isolated shower in coastal areas. Moderate southwesterly winds will turn to the west and become fresher around parts of the coast. Maximum temperature: 18C (64F).
It will be a largely dry night with some clear spells and just a few scattered light showers. However, it will become a little more cloudy towards the end of the night. Winds will be mainly moderate or fresh from the west. Minimum temperature: 13C (55F).
Andrew Segal
Local Live
A Royal Marine with links to dissident republicanism who made 14 pipe bombs also stashed away an assortment of other weapons and equipment in 12 hides at various sites across England and Northern Ireland, a court has heard.
A three-day hearing is under way at the Old Bailey to sentence Ciarán Maxwell, 31, originally from Larne in Co Antrim, after he admitted charges earlier this year of preparing terrorist acts.
Image source, Police Service of Northern IrelandAlong with the 14 pipe bombs (some components of which are pictured), the court heard Maxwell also stashed:
BBC News Northern Ireland
A court hearing to decide how long Ciarán Maxwell will serve in prison is under way at the Old Bailey.
In February, Maxwell, 31, admitted a number of offences, including bomb-making and storing stolen military weapons. The County Antrim man also pleaded guilty to drugs and fraud charges.
On Wednesday, the Old Bailey was told that the Royal Marine had created "to-do lists" mentioning "targets, dummy runs and recces".
The exact details were redacted by the court, but the targets included a Territorial Army centre and substations. There was also reference to a loyalist group and the need to notify news agencies.
Maxwell, originally from Larne, lived in Exminster, Devon, and was based with 40 Commando in Taunton, Somerset.
The hearing continues.
June Kelly
BBC Home Affairs correspondent
The case against a Royal Marine who admitted preparing terrorist acts is being outlined ahead of his sentencing.
Ciarán Maxwell, 31, who has now been discharged from the Marines, pleaded guilty earlier this year to preparing terrorist acts linked to dissident republicanism.
The Old Bailey has been told that four out of 14 pipe bombs built by him when he was a serving Marine were deployed in Northern Ireland.
Maxwell, originally from Larne in Northern Ireland, joined the Royal Marines in 2010. Today the court was told that within months of signing up he was involved in terrorist activity.
During his military career he lived a double life. The court heard he researched the manufacture of explosives, acquired the items he needed to make explosive devices and built 14 pipe bombs.
He stored his vast terrorist arsenal, which included weapons, ammunition and anti-personnel mines in a series of hides across England and Northern Ireland.
The hearing continues.
Image source, FacebookAndrew Segal
Local Live
People's concerns about ambulance response times are due to be discussed at an open meeting in Devon later.
It follows a road accident near Kingsbridge in June, where it took more than 90 minutes for paramedics to arrive.
Police initially said "an ambulance arrived two hours after the 999 call" after the crash at Sorley Cross because "the ambulance service informed us they had nobody to send". The police Facebook post was edited , externalto remove the two-hour wait.
Ambulance bosses said at the time the incident was classed as "not immediately life-threatening" and there had been "high demand" in the area at the same time.
Totnes MP and Parliament's Health Select Committee, external chairwoman Dr Sarah Wollaston will chair the debate with the head of the South Western Ambulance Service at Kingsbridge Community College this evening.
Press Association
A Royal Marine with links to dissident republicanism made 14 pipe bombs, a court heard.
Ciarán Maxwell, 31, who is originally from Larne in Co Antrim, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to preparation of terrorist acts between January 2011 and August last year, possessing images of bank cards for fraud and possessing cannabis with intent to supply, in February.
At the beginning of a three-day sentencing hearing at the same court, prosecutor Richard Whittam QC, said: "Across 14 of the locations involved in the investigation, Mr Maxwell had in his possession, or had constructed, 14 pipe bombs. Of those 14 pipe bombs constructed by Mr Maxwell, four have been deployed in Northern Ireland."
The court heard dissident republicans have carried out more than 160 terrorist attacks since 2010, involving tactics including the deployment of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) such as pipe bombs.
Mr Whittam said: "Whilst attacks are mainly directed at members of the police, military and prison service, the nature of the attacks leaves members of the public at risk. All of the groups remain persistent in their intention to kill and seriously injure."
The hearing continues.
Supermarket giant Sainsbury's said it is investigating allegations that one of its delivery drivers performed an illegal U-turn on the A30, external.
Hamish Marshall
BBC Spotlight
A court hearing to decide how long a Royal Marine who hid explosives in a Devon wood to make bombs for terror attacks will serve in prison is under way.
Thirty-one-year-old Ciarán Maxwell lived in Exminster and was based with 40 Commando in Taunton, Somerset.
The serviceman, originally from Northern Ireland, admitted to the preparation of terrorist acts.
He was arrested last August and a search of Powderham New Plantation near Exeter (pictured) found hides with a range of explosive substances, as well as ammunition, weapons and tools for making bombs.
The sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey will last up to three days.
Maxwell himself is not in court in person. He is appearing via video link from Woodhill Prison in Milton Keynes.
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Tens of thousands of spectators are expected at the event on the city's Hoe on Thursday and Friday.
Acts due to appear on Thursday include: Clean Bandit, Sigma, Charli XCX, Busted and Louisa Johnson.
Friday is due to see: Martin Garrix, Duke Dumont B2B Gorgon City, Wilkinson and Jax Jones, R3WIRE & Varski.
Andrew Segal
Local Live
Image source, Metropolitan PoliceA sentencing hearing has begun for a Royal Marine from Northern Ireland who admitted preparing acts of terrorism linked to dissident republicanism.
Ciarán Maxwell, 31, originally from Larne, pleaded guilty in February to bomb-making and storing stolen military weapons after he was arrested in Somerset last August over the discovery of two dissident republican arms dumps near Larne in County Antrim.
Following his arrest, police in Devon searched a house in Exminster and a wooded area nearby.
He had maps, plans and lists of potential targets for a terrorist attack as well as images of an adapted Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) pass card and a PSNI uniform, his trial heard. He also pleaded guilty to drugs and fraud charges
He faces years behind bars when he is sentenced by Mr Justice Sweeney in a hearing at the Old Bailey which could last up to three days.
