Hamish Marshall
BBC Spotlight

A jury in Exeter has retired to consider its verdict in the case of a former UKIP parliamentary candidate who's accused of manslaughter.

Labourer Peter Clements was killed after a nine-foot (2.7m) trench he was digging next to a swimming pool owned by Keith Crawford in Exeter caved in on him in 2015.

Mr Crawford, of Ide, Devon, denies gross negligence manslaughter and failing to ensure an employee's safety, claiming Mr Clements was paid £3,600 to do the work and that the self-employed builder was responsible for his own safety.

The trial at Exeter Crown Court heard Mr Crawford, 73, refused to hire safety equipment because it was too expensive.

The 48-year-old labourer suffered several broken ribs and other crush injuries and died from cardiac arrest in hospital three days after trying to escape from the trench.

Mr Crawford, a businessman and former soldier, was the unsuccessful UKIP candidate for Exeter in the 2010 and 2015 general elections.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

Image source, FAMILY

The school attended by a seven-year-old girl who was killed by a car in a crash has said it will be hard "to envisage a school without her".

Maisie Duncan died when the car hit her and crashed into a house while she was playing in snow in Looe, Cornwall, last Thursday.

In a statement, Polperro Community Primary School - part of the Bridge Multi-Academy Trust - said it was "deeply saddened" to hear the news.

It said: "Maisie will be remembered as a happy and caring member of our community - a bright star with a smile that could light up any classroom. We are working with professionals trained to provide the very best support for pupils, parents and staff at this difficult time."

Devon and Cornwall Police want anyone with information about the crash to get in touch via 101.

Lynne French
BBC News Online

Work to repair a storm-damaged wall in Falmouth will begin next week, Cornwall Council's contractor Cormac has confirmed.

The damage to the wall, next the steps leading to the beach off Stratton Place, has been caused by a combination of extreme weather, high tides and wear and tear.

"There is potential for more damage if action isn't taken quickly, especially given current forecasts of further high winds," Cormac's project manager Jim Driscoll said.

Work will begin on Monday and is expected to table about 10 days to complete.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A former care home could be turned into a sixth form centre for Okehampton College - and new plans have been proposed for a sports pitch at the site.

Plans had previously been given the go-ahead for the refurbishment of the former Wardhayes elderly persons care home in Okehampton to provide accommodation for sixth form college and special educational needs pupils.

The application was approved on the basis that a large number of houses are currently being built in the town which will result in increased pupil numbers for the school, with 125 additional secondary places expected.

The formerly Devon County Council-owned Wardhayes elderly persons care home closed in 2015 as part of a raft of more than 20 closures imposed by then cash-strapped council.

The use of the site as an education facility has been established, but a new planning application on behalf of Devon County Council for the installation of a new multi-use games area, fencing, landscaping and the provision of two disabled parking spaces at the site in Simmons Way has now been submitted.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Newton Abbot Racecourse has submitted plans for a new owners and trainers lounge as part of their ambitions to compete as the number one summer jump racecourse in the UK.

The racecourse says it is coming under continued pressure to provide larger facilities for racehorse owners and their trainers at the course in Newton Road, Kingsteignton.

But a statement submitted with a planning application says it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to do so due to the age of the two existing grandstands and the difficulties that the site has due to flood plain issues.

As a result it has submitted a formal planning application to Teignbridge District Council for a new owners and trainers lounge that would sit on top of the main grandstand.

Applications to join the scheme are from areas at "high risk" of bovine TB, Natural England says.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

Devon and Cornwall Police are investigating reports of an assault on a pupil at Mount Tamar School in Plymouth.

The school has about 100 pupils aged between four and 16 with social and emotional difficulties and autism.

"Police are now involved in further safeguarding enquiries with the school regarding this matter," a spokesman said.

Lynne French
BBC News Online

Police have appealed to the public to help trace a missing teenager.

Fifteen-year-old Gareth Daniel was last seen just after 09:00 at the bus stop near the Toby Carvery on Sidmouth Road in Exeter. It is believed he may have been heading to Exeter or Newton Abbot.

Gareth is described as white, about 5ft 10in (1.8m) tall, of average build with black hair and wearing black trousers, a white shirt and a black and grey jacket.

Lynne French
BBC News Online

Crews have dealt with a fire at public toilets in Seaton.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said it received a call reporting a fire in the male public toilets at Marsh Road about 10:15.

The incident has been reported to East Devon District Council and Devon and Cornwall Police.

Lynne French
BBC News Online

A man has been cut free by fire crews using hydraulic cutting equipment after becoming trapped in an overturned car.

The crash happened at about 10:15 on Barbican Road in Barnstaple. The victim's condition is not known.

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Exeter's Luke Cowan-Dickie and Sam Simmonds are on the bench for England for their key Six Nations game with France in Paris on Saturday.

Image source, Getty Images

Simmonds is back after missing the loss to Scotland with injury while hooker Cowan-Dickie comes into the side after captain Dylan Hartley was ruled out with injury.

The Truro-born forward last featured for England as a replacement during the 2016 summer tour to Australia.

Torquay United's on-loan Bristol City midfielder George Dowling still has room for improvement, according to Gulls boss Gary Owers.

BBC Radio Cornwall

The A39 near Bude is partially blocked by a collision at the turnoff for Marhamchurch.

BBC Radio Devon

In Barnstaple, Barbican Road is blocked by an overturned vehicle at Summerland Street.

Lynne French
BBC News Online

Police are investigating a number of house burglaries in Sidmouth.

Det Con Matt Burnell said the thefts took place in Higher Woolbrook Park between Sunday 18 and Monday 26 February, although evidence appears to indicate they may have happened overnight on the same evening.

"Three houses were burgled in the spate and jewellery was stolen from two of the properties," he said.

"I am keen to hear from anyone who has witnessed anything suspicious in the area."

Lynne French
BBC News Online

There's been a "sharp" rise in the number of reported thefts of tools from vans in the Plymouth area recently, police say.

Sector Insp Nick Lindsey said: "Offenders are accessing the rear doors of vans, often causing little or no damage.

"I want to urge people to consider marking their tools and equipment. Whether it be engraving your name and putting a coloured dot on the items and fitting additional locks."

It is hoped dog owners will borrow the toys and donate any extras they may have.

Lynne French
BBC News Online

A national issue affecting ticket machines at train stations in Devon and Cornwall has now been resolved.

The problem meant that passengers were unable to collect pre-booked tickets.

Hamish Marshall
BBC Spotlight

A series of serious so-called "never" events at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital has led to an unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

Classed as largely preventable patient safety incidents that shouldn't occur, there were seven never events between May 2015 and December last year, with another two serious incidents being investigated.

Seven incidents were related to surgery, including a patient having surgery on the wrong eye - one of three incidents involving the ophthalmology department.

A report by the CQC says the incidents were investigated and ways to prevent them happening again were identified. However it says it will continue to monitor the trust, which has a rating of "good" from a comprehensive inspection in February 2016.