Updates from Monday 23 April until Friday 27 April 2018
Maisie Duncan death: Police seek three witnesses after Looe road crash
Cornwall Council's £46k Cannes trip scrutinised
Ten Devon and Cornwall Police officers assaulted in single night
Parents campaigning to save 'inadequate' Plymouth free school due to close
Parade to call for more affordable housing on Rame Peninsula
Home-schooling stats reveal Cornwall in fourth place in UK
Alex Osborne
BBC Weather
If you're planning a trip to the coast or seaside, here are the high water times around Devon and Cornwall.
We'll have the latest forecast on BBC Spotlight at 13:30.
A woman has been arrested in connection with a string of thefts, including charity boxes from across Falmouth and Penryn, external.
The 38-year-old from, Penzance was arrested by police in Dorset on an unrelated matter on Tuesday morning, police said.
Peter Matthews uses paint, pencil, rust and water from the Atlantic to make art in the sea.
Read MoreThese hoaxers were bold, dedicated, and didn't wait for 1 April.
Read More
The Penzance park and ride has 157 parking spaces and eight coach bays
Critics of the new park and ride scheme in Penzance say the money could have been better spent improving the town.
The out-of-town parking cost £1.4m and was mostly paid for by Sainsbury's when it built its supermarket on a neighbouring site.
Operator Isles of Scilly Parking said it was limited by a lack of infrastructure but it would open daily during the peak summer period.
The site's operators say there is no automation and the site has to be manned
The firm, which has called the site "park and walk", said it was also open daily for passengers using the Scillonian ferry, and it would open all day on Saturdays for the next four weeks for anyone to use.
Cornwall Council said the new car park provided convenient and safe out-of-town parking to encourage tourism, reduce pressure for on-street parking in the town and help improve traffic flow around Penzance.
Quote Message"We are left with the best of a bad lot really, which is to have Scillies parking there primarily. Another thing that will be helpful is coach parking. That is better than nothing, but I still maintain that it was a terrible mistake."
Tim Dwelly, Independent Cornwall Councillor, Penzance East
Torquay United manager Gary Owers says the club's 4-3 loss to 10-man Guiseley is the 'lowest point in his career'.
Read More
Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online
A man has been taken to hospital after two cars crashed into a lamp-post, firefighters say., external
It happened at about 08:05 on the A361 eastbound between Barnstaple and Braunton, near Pottington Business Park.
The carriageway is closed after the lamp-post fell on the road, causing delays in the area.
The man's injuries are not known and traffic is now easing.
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Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online
The body of a man has been found in Newquay town centre, police have said.
Officers were called to Bank Street at about 06:30 following reports of concern for a man's welfare.
Police, fire and ambulance are on the scene and a cordon is in place.
The death was not believed suspicious, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online
Image source, Dogs TrustMarley weighs more than his carer, Shannon
A dog weighing 61kg (9.6 stone) is the biggest to have ever been welcomed to one rehoming centre in Devon.
Dogs Trust Ilfracombe say that two-year-old Marley, a Dogue de Bordeaux, external, previously known as a French mastiff, weighs 14kg (2 stone) more than his canine carer, Shannon.
Image source, Dogs TrustHe's the biggest dog that the Dogs Trust in Ilfracombe has ever looked after
He's been described by staff as "a big friendly giant" who has the "personality of a mischievous pup within the body of a gigantic dog".
Staff said he was looking for a new owner with "a large heart, and equally large sofa".
Image source, Dogs TrustStaff at the rehoming centre say Marley is "super affectionate"
Quote MessageHe’s a big softie who is full of fun and has been an absolute delight to care for. He is so friendly and gives big sloppy kisses – he just sometimes forgets his size.
Elise Watson, Manager at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe
Ambulance workers who are attacked on the job in the South West are being failed by the justice system, according to their union.
The GMB said that less than 1% of assaults on South West Ambulance staff had resulted in prison sentences.
Types of assault included being stabbed, bitten and having vehicles driven at staff.
The GMB added that 72% of ambulance workers had been attacked while on duty, with 294 physical assaults between 2016 and January 2018.
The union is now calling for tougher sentences under new legislation being voted on by MPs this week.
Quote MessageNo-one should be told that facing violence is just 'part of the job'. The number of attacks faced by ambulance workers as they try to save lives is beyond unacceptable. Our members do their jobs with complete professionalism - but everyone has their breaking point.
Kevin Brandstatter, GMB NHS National Officer
The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said last year, external that it takes a "zero tolerance approach to any form of physical or verbal abuse towards our staff".
The ambulance service covers Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the former Avon area, including Bristol and Bath.
Alex Osborne
BBC Weather
Today will be breezy with spells of sunshine, but also a scattering of showers.
A few of the showers are likely to be heavy, especially during the afternoon, and they may produce hail and thunder.
Maximum temperature: 10 to 13C (50 to 55F).
A top QC took £75 from his chamber's funds to pay for private treatment when his daughter got a splinter in her finger, an employment tribunal heard, external.
And when fellow barrister Karen Gillard, a former Plymouth political leader, leaked the story about Anthony Metzer, QC, to website Legal Cheek she was sacked, the hearing was told.
Between Barnstaple and Muddiford, there are reports of a crash between two vehicles on the B3230, around Grattan Lane at Blakewell Cross. Approach with care.
Richard Whitehouse
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Image source, LDRSPeople in Cornwall could soon be able to buy one ticket which will give them access to rail, bus and ferry services.
It is proposed that the One Public Transport System for Cornwall will be launched by the end of the year.
The ticket plan is a key part of Cornwall Council's devolution deal with the government.
Image source, LDRSDetails of the project's progress have gone before the council's economic growth and development overview and scrutiny committee.
Other parts of the transport system would include:
Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online
Three cars have been "severely damaged" by fire in Torquay, firefighters say., external
It happened at about 01:10 in Tormohun after one vehicle became "well alight" on a private drive and the blaze spread to two more cars nearby.
Crews brought the fire under control and the vehicles were made safe.
The cause of the fire was accidental, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said.
BBC Sport
Truro City put their weekend defeat behind them and climbed back into the promotion places in National League South after a 2-0 win on Tuesday night.
The White Tigers beat Weston-super-Mare to leave them in sixth place with just one game left.
Lee Hodges' side now meet Hampton and Richmond away on the final day of the season on Saturday.
In Torpoint, there are reports of an accident on the A374 around Goad Avenue.
Rob England
BBC News Online
A 16-year-old is in a "critical but stable" condition in hospital after a fight in Plympton on Monday evening, police said.
It happened on Dark Street Lane some time between 17:00-18:00.
Officers said the incident involved "several youths" and the victim suffered "serious head injuries" which required "urgent medical treatment" at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.
A 22-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy from Plymouth have been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and are currently in police custody, a spokesman said.
Hamish Marshall
BBC Spotlight
Image source, Family handoutThe mother of a man who died after being restrained by Devon and Cornwall Police says she is disappointed with the charges brought against them.
It follows the decision by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to start a Health and Safety prosecution against the office of the Chief Constable over the death of Thomas Orchard.
It has been charged with exposing a non-employee to a risk to health or safety.
Thomas, who had schizophrenia, died in hospital a week after suffering a cardiac arrest at Exeter Police Station six years ago.
Image source, Devon and Cornwall PoliceHis mother, Alison, said it should have been corporate manslaughter.
Quote MessageI am left in no doubt that the charge that has been brought to Devon and Cornwall Police is a very serious one. However, our family are disappointed that corporate manslaughter charges, which we know the CPS were considering, have not been brought because, in our view, Thomas's death was caused directly by their negligence."
