Summary

  • Three men convicted of killing a homeless man in St Austell have been jailed

  • Student jailed for sex assaults on men

  • Fire crews tackle house fire in Newton Poppleford

  • 'Burst water main' causes flooding in Plymouth

  • Freezer gas leak: Two women taken to hospital in North Devon

  • Plymouth has 'sixth highest death rate in Britain from asbestos-related cancer'

  • Song dedicated to Devon drugs death girl at MTV Crashes Plymouth

  • Cornwall's future rubbish and recycling collections considered

  • More news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Monday 31 July 2017

  1. Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    Rob Byrne
    BBC News Online

    Live updates for Devon and Cornwall have finished for the day, but we'll be back at 08:00 on Monday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather.

    Don't forget Spotlight on BBC One later. There will also be news through the night on your BBC Local Radio station.

  2. Whale and dolphin watch campaign to startpublished at 17:55 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    Rob Byrne
    BBC News Online

    PorpoiseImage source, M Reichelt/ Sea Watch Foundation
    Image caption,

    A harbour porpoise

    The Sea Watch Foundation's annual campaign to get members of the general public contributing towards the protection of whales and dolphins begins tomorrow.

    The National Whale and Dolphin Watch runs between 29 July and 6 August 2017.

    “It’s all about reporting your whale, dolphin and porpoise sightings as well as getting out there to look for them” said Kathy James, Sightings Officer for the research charity.

    “Without reports from the public on these magnificent animals we cannot compile data which is used for their protection,” she said.

  3. Bridge Road, Exeter: Opening delayedpublished at 17:47 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    Rob Byrne
    BBC News Online

    Plans to re-open one of Exeter's busiest roads on Monday have been delayed.

    Devon County Council has described the delay as a "regrettable further inconvenience".

    It says the contractor has a full-time seven days a week presence on site while complex structural engineering work is continuing in areas under the Swing Bridge and on the outside of Countess Wear Bridge, where the most technically challenging part of the scheme is taking place on the cantilevered pedestrian and cycle bridge.

    The Council is warning there will be more night-time road closures over the next two weeks to ensure four lanes are opened as soon as possible.

    Overnight closures will be in place from 8:30pm to 5:30am from Monday (31 July) to, and including, Thursday 3 August.

    The diversion route during the closures will be signed via Topsham Road, Alphington Road, Marsh Barton and the A379.

  4. Derriford cancer support 'above average'published at 17:40 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    Rob Byrne
    BBC News Online

    Cancer patients treated at Plymouth's Derriford Hospital have rated their care as 8.7 out of 10, according to the latest National Cancer Patient Experience Survey.

    More than 900 patients treated at the hospital responded to the survey,, external which asks cancer patients treated at all hospitals across the country, about their care.

    The hospital was rated above the national average for the support and advice given to patients, with 87% told they could bring a family member when they were first told they had cancer.

    89% of patients reported t they were told about support groups available to them and 85% of patients said they were given information about the impact cancer could have on their day-to-day activities.

    However, only 55% of patients said they were definitely told about side effects that could affect them in the future.

  5. Hodges eyes 'one or two' more signingspublished at 17:36 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    James Law
    BBC Sport Online

    Truro City manager Lee Hodges hopes to add "one or two" more players to his squad before the 2017-18 National League South campaign.

    The Cornish side have brought in eight players this summer, including former Aldershot and Torquay man Ben Harding.

    Lee HodgesImage source, Truro City FC

    "We've taken our time over it [transfers], we've not rushed into things," Hodges told BBC Radio Cornwall.

    "We've brought in some more defenders, we've added a lot in midfield and I think we've still hopefully got one or two bits of action to happen, hopefully over the next few days."

    Hodges eyes 'one or two' more signings

    Truro City manager Lee Hodges says he hopes to add "one or two" more players to his squad before the new season.

    Read More
  6. Korean garden planned at Eden Projectpublished at 17:29 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    Rob Byrne
    BBC News Online

    Eden Project staff celebrate agreement by planting treeImage source, Eden Project

    A Korean garden is being planned at the Eden Project following the signing of an agreement between the Korean National Arboretum and the Cornish attraction.

    A delegation led by the KNA Director General Dr You-Mi Lee visited Eden on 18 July.

    Conservation, training and horticulture intiatives have been agreed as part of the memorandum of understanding.

    Eden Chief Executive Gordon Seabright said: “We are greatly looking forward to working with the Korean National Arboretum. We share so many values and ambitions.

    “The regeneration of biodiversity is a key theme for Eden and the Koreans have shown global leadership in rebuilding their ecology.”

  7. Long delays continue on M5 and A30published at 17:22 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    • On the M5, there's very slow traffic between J27 (Tiverton) and J23 (Bridgwater). This is due to holiday traffic on the move - and an earlier accident near Bridgwater.
    • In Plymouth, there's slow traffic on Royal Parade and Vauxhall Street because of party-goers heading to tonight's music festival on the Hoe.
    • In Torquay, on Happaway Road, an accident is causing traffic in both directions.
    • In Newton Abbot, Highweek Street is very busy. There's long queues up to the ASDA roundabout because of an accident.
    • On the A30, between Chiverton Cross Roundabout and Carland Cross, there are long delays due to holiday traffic.
    • Also on the A30 but near Penzance, the road near Chy-An-Mor roundabout is now clearing after an earlier accident.
    • In Launceston, St Thomas Road is blocked in both directions, and there's slow traffic due to an overturned car.
    • In Truro, on the A390 Green Lane, there's reports of very slow traffic due to an accident, involving a car and a motorbike.
    • On the A39 near Penryn's Treluswell Roundabout, there's slow traffic and queues down to the Treliever roundabout.

  8. Royal Marine: Court hears of teenage attackpublished at 17:16 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    Press Association

    A court has heard how Ciaran Maxwell, the Royal Marine who made bombs for dissident republicans, grew up as a member of a small Catholic community in Larne, a predominantly unionist/loyalist area.

    Maxell suffered a serious attack at the hands of a group of older men when he was 16 years old.

    Maxwell, of Exminster in Devon, was a serving Royal Marine with 40 Commando based at Norton Manor Camp in Taunton at the time of the offences and was deployed in the United States, Cyprus and the UK - but not Northern Ireland - after enlisting in 2010.

    He was about to be promoted to corporal before he was discovered and discharged from the Marines.

    Maxwell appeared on Friday via video link from Woodhill Prison in Milton Keynes, where he sat at a desk with a laptop, making notes, wearing a white Nike t-shirt.

    Mr Justice Sweeney said he would pass sentence on Monday at 12:00.

  9. Plans submitted for new Penlee lifeboat stationpublished at 17:09 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    Rob Byrne
    BBC News Online

    Architects drawing of new lifeboat stationImage source, Studio Four Architects

    The RNLI has submitted a planning application for a new station building at Newlyn Harbour.

    The plans include a larger crew/operational room, training room, changing room and workshop, along with a visitor engagement area.

    The RNLI said the two-storey building will be located on the same site as the existing station, which will operate from temporary facilities during construction.

  10. Severe accident: M5 Devon northboundpublished at 16:59 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    BBC News Travel

    M5 Devon - Very slow traffic and one lane closed on M5 northbound in Clyst St Mary between J30, A376 (Exeter) and J29, A30 (Exeter), because of an accident and debris on the road. Approach with care.

  11. Weather update: rain continuing into eveningpublished at 16:53 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    BBC Weather

    Rain will continue through the evening, eventually clearing away through the first part of the night. The cloud will lift and clear spells will develop, perhaps with the odd shower.

    South West forecast for Friday evening
  12. Police condemn 'savage' killing of homeless manpublished at 16:33 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    Johnny O'Shea
    BBC News Online

    Police have condemned the "savage" killing of homeless man Stephen Bull in St Austell after three men were jailed for their parts in causing his death.

    Daniel Altass, 22, previously pleaded guilty to murder. He was given a life sentence with a minimum of 27 years. Joshua Buscombe, 25, was found guilty of murder, and sentenced to 19 years. Jordan Bishop, 22, was found guilty of manslaughter, and given eight years.

    Speaking outside Truro Crown Court, Det Insp Gail Windsor said: "Stephen Bull thought he was going out with friends to the shop on that night when all the while there was a plan to lead him to the park and cause him serious harm."

    Media caption,

    Police say Stephen Bull was killed in a 'savage' attack

  13. Police name man killed in Truro bus collisionpublished at 16:20 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    Rob Byrne
    BBC News Online

    Peter John HoadleyImage source, Devon and Cornwall Police

    Peter John Hoadley, 82, has been named by Police as the pedestrian killed in a collision involving a bus in Truro, on Monday 24 July.

    His family described him as a "beloved father" and "cherished grandfather" of eight who will be sorely missed.

    Police were informed of the collision on Station Road, around 09:45 on Monday 24 July, when emergency services attended the scene and closed roads in the area.

    Witnesses are still being asked to contact Devon and Cornwall Police.

  14. Royal Marine 'forced' to show republican symapthiespublished at 16:11 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    Press Association

    The lawyer defending a Royal Marine who made bombs for dissident republicans has told the Old Bailey Ciaran Maxwell was not ideologically driven and would not have used violence for a cause.

    Paul Hynes QC, said it was Niall Lehd, said to be a member of the Continuity IRA (CIRA), who was the "instigator" of a joint venture with Maxwell, who had "no long-lasting republican ideology".

    "(Maxwell) was in effect forced, to use his own words, to pretend to have republican sympathies he did not in fact have," he said.

    "Fear of being in way above his head was effectively what paralysed him from stopping the conduct which brings him before this court."

    Maxwell lived in Exminster in Devon, and was based with 40 Commando in Taunton, Somerset.

  15. Severe accident: A388 Launcestonpublished at 16:00 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    BBC News Travel

    On the A388 St Thomas Road in Launceston blocked and slow traffic in both directions between the Wooda Lane junction and the Dockey junction, because of an accident.

  16. Sayers 'excited' to be back at Raiderspublished at 15:46 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    Rob Byrne
    BBC News Online

    Louis Sayers signs for RaidersImage source, Plymouth Raiders

    Returning Plymouth Raiders basketball player Louis Sayers has said he's looking forward to going back to the city he "fell in love with" during a spell at the beginning of his career.

    The club announced the signing this morning., external

    Raiders said the forward formed part of a "new era" under Directors Ross Mackenzie and Richard Mollard. The BBC revealed in May former head coach Johnny White was appointed without his professional credentials being checked.

    Sayers started his professional career with two seasons at Plymouth Raiders between 2013 and 2015, followed by stints with BBL club Leeds Force and Koblenz in Germany’s Regionalliga.

    “When I first arrived in Plymouth 4 years ago, I immediately fell in love with the city and the fans here," he said.

    "My experiences in Leeds and Germany over the past two seasons have helped me grow as a player and a person, but I'm so excited to be back in a Raiders jersey again and to be a part of the new era!”

  17. 'Minor incident' on prison roofpublished at 15:37 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    Rob Byrne
    BBC News Online

    The Prison Service has said it has resolved a "minor incident" at HMP Dartmoor this afternoon.

    Police said they were "made aware" of a man on the roof of the prison, but local officers weren't asked to attend as the man was off the roof by 13:15.

    Devon and Cornwall Police added: "Conversations are being had between police and HMP on if they need our scenes of crime and drone support to help capture evidence."

    A Prison Service spokesperson said there were no injuries to staff or prisoners.

  18. Marine wanted out of 'entrenched' situationpublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    Press Association

    Ciaran MaxwellImage source, Metropolitan Police

    The lawyer defending Ciaran Maxwell, the Royal Marine who made bombs for dissident republicans, has told the Old Bailey his client was, in his own words, "frozen".

    Paul Hynes QC, quoted Maxwell, saying: "I didn't know who to turn to and what to do. I felt frozen and scared to make a move which would potentially reveal the life I had been leading."

    The court heard two pipe bombs were deployed after Maxwell's arrest on 24 August last year and Mr Hynes suggested they may well have had an element of "sending him a message" to do what was expected of him.

    Mr Hynes also pointed out Maxwell's cooperation with police in leading them to some of his hides "was essentially the cork coming out of the bottle, having lived such a dangerous double life for so long".

    He said Maxwell's "criminal terrorist associates" would now wish him "serious ill", while the danger to him extended to his family in Northern Ireland and England.

    Mr Hynes added: "We submit it is certainly possible that Mr Maxwell, rather than having some personal motive of his own was simply, through his actions, assisting others in the hope that he would be able, at some point, to get himself out of the situation in which he had become entrenched."

    Maxwell lived in Exminster, Devon, and was based with 40 Commando in Taunton, Somerset. His sentencing hearing continues.

  19. Student jailed for sex assaults on menpublished at 15:09 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    Jonathan Morris
    BBC News Online

    A Plymouth University student who sexually assaulted two men as they slept has been jailed for two years.

    One victim who woke up thought for 10 seconds it was his girlfriend committing the sexual act until he felt Matthew Gell's short hair, Plymouth Crown Court heard.

    Gell, 22, of Casworth Terrace, Padstow, was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault.

    The court was told that Gell assaulted each of the men on separate occasions in September and October 2016.

    Ali Raffati defending, said bisexual student Gell had tried to keep his sexuality secret. "Having consumed alcohol he could not control his urges," he said. "He overstepped the line by a mile."

    High Court Judge Mr Justice James Dingemans said he had "rarely heard such untruthful evidence" in a case and Gell had "no remorse". "You no doubt hoped you would get away before they woke up," he said.

    Gell was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

  20. Long delays on M5 northboundpublished at 14:56 British Summer Time 28 July 2017

    BBC News Travel

    • On the M5 northbound from Exeter, expect long delays between Junction 27 and Junction 21 heading up to Bristol
    • On the A30 heading to Exeter and the M5, there's still slow traffic between Fingle Glen and Exminster, but it is starting to clear
    • In West Hill, on Exeter Road, there are reports of an accident, involving a car and a bin lorry near Birdcage Lane
    • On the A30 near Chiverton Cross and Carland Cross, there are long queues in both directions
    • In Bodmin, there's slow traffic due to roadworks on the A389 where the lights are
    • On the A39 near Penryn and the Treluswell Roundabout, there's congestion due to roadworks