BBC Devon & Cornwall Live: 29 October

Summary

'Predatory' paedophile's decades of abuse
Machine 'pulled woman to death by hair'
Man dies after diving off Bovisand
Police investigate alleged boy rape at Halloween party
Major blaze breaks out at harbour building
Fire teams 'missed chance to save hotel'
Censured Torbay councillor 'doesn't accept findings'
Updates on Monday 29 October 2018

Live Reporting

Ukrainian language group have visas approvedpublished at 13:35 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online
A group of Ukrainian teachers and students have been told they can come to Devon for a language course after the Home Office overturned a decision to refuse their visas.
The two teachers and about 20 students had initially been turned down for the week-long course.
The group, from the war-torn Donbas region in eastern Ukraine had already paid out money for flights and the application process.
However, after being notified by journalists, a Home Office spokesperson said:“The decision in this case has been reviewed and the group’s visas have now been issued.”
Image source, Getty Images
Grenville Yeo, who runs language school SOL based in Barnstaple said: "I cannot begin to tell you what this means to so many - even I was quite emotional but the group was in tears when they heard! Their leader Maryna is on her way by train to Kiev (670km!!) to collect the visas right now."
He said he had never known teachers to have their visas refused in 27 years of running courses with groups from eastern Europe.
Fire crews making 'steady progress' tackling Torquay blazepublished at 13:20 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online
Fire crews tackling a major blaze at Torquay harbour are making "steady progress".
The fire involves a three-floor commercial building in Victoria Parade.
Teams from Torquay, Paignton, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth, Brixham and Ivybridge are helping to deal with the incident.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service's welfare and environmental units are also at the scene.
Building evacuated as firefighters tackle Torquay blazepublished at 12:34 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online
A commercial building on Torquay's waterfront has been evacuated by emergency services.
The first and second floor are on fire.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said it was initially reported as being within Jack's Waterfront cafe on Victoria Parade, but this is unconfirmed.
Eight fire engines are at the scene along with an aerial ladder platform. The fire has burst through the roof.
Police and ambulance crews are also at the scene. The premises has been evacuated but there are no injuries reported.
Fire crews expect to remain at the scene for some time.
Image source, Ian Morgan
Torquay fire: What we know so far...published at 12:23 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
- Police say the fire started in Jack's Waterfront cafe
- Six fire engines are at the scene tackling the blaze
- The fire has gone through the roof and the fire service says the blaze is likely to continue for some time
- Victoria Parade is closed in both directions - police are dealing with road closures
- Smoke can be seen billowing across Torquay
Image source, Lauren Wade
Fire at Jack's Waterfront cafe in Torquay, say policepublished at 12:14 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online
Image source, Ian Morgan
Police say a large blaze in Torquay is being tackled at Jack's Waterfront cafe.
Six fire engines are at the scene, causing roads to be blocked. Police are dealing with road closures in the area.
Image source, Neil Fleming
South Western Railway disruption between Exeter and Salisburypublished at 12:14 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
BBC News Travel
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
Torquay fire: Smoke seen across townpublished at 12:09 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online
Smoke can be seen billowing from the large building fire near Torquay harbour.
These pictures are taken from the roof of Fleet Walk Shopping Centre in the town.
Image source, Matthew Dart
Image source, Matthew Dart
Victoria Parade closed in both directions because of firepublished at 12:05 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
In Torquay, Victoria Parade is closed in both directions between Beacon Hill and The Strand due to a building fire.
Dozens of firefighters are at the scene tackling the blaze.
Fire sends smoke billowing across Torquaypublished at 11:58 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online
A large fire is continuing to burn close to the harbour in Torquay, with six fire engines at the scene.
Image source, David Thomas
Large fire in Torquay - six fire engines at the scenepublished at 11:49 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
Breaking
Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online
A large fire is currently burning in a building by the harbour in Torquay.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says there are six fire engines on the scene.
The fire has gone through the roof of a building, and the fire service is warning the blaze is likely to continue for some time.
More to follow...
People 'feel safer' after anti-social behaviour projectpublished at 11:36 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
BBC Radio Cornwall
Attempts to curb anti-social behaviour in Penzance are being hailed a success after action from the police and the town council.
Among the measures introduced have been high-visibility police patrols, alcohol control signs in the town centre and clearing up and monitoring sites used by drug users.
Independent Councillor Tim Dwelly says people feel safer walking the streets after an increase in the number of arrests.
Earlier this year police urged the public to report any anti-social behaviour in Penzance.
Image source, Google
Charity Commission rules on Looe Music Festival concernspublished at 11:26 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
Cornwall Live
Following the shock cancellation of Looe Music Festival the Charity Commission has looked into the concerns and states no further regulatory action is warranted, external.
Plymouth couple celebrating third anniversary get trappedpublished at 11:14 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
Plymouth Live
A couple’s third wedding anniversary turned into a disaster when they became trapped, external at the bottom of a 600ft (183m) cliff.
'By the time she got to the toilets she could barely walk'published at 10:45 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
BBC Radio Cornwall
A nurse from Cornwall has been describing the moment her friend collapsed after a suspected drink spiking incident.
Caitlin Dean and her friends were on a night out in Charlestown two weeks ago when a member of the group became ill and an ambulance was called.
Police are warning people to be on the look out and not leave their drinks unattended.
There's been a significant rise in the number of drink spiking incidents in Devon and Cornwall in the last three years.
Bonfire Night warning after gorse firespublished at 10:43 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online
Fire crews in Cornwall are warning people planning to attend events for Bonfire Night, to make sure they attend ones that are properly organised.
The warning comes after several gorse fires on the Lizard Peninsula with St Keverne, Mullion and Helston fire crews attending various times on Sunday evening.
They were extinguished using hosereels and beaters although the wind made conditions difficult at times.
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
Stoatally awesome sight at Whitsand Baypublished at 10:41 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
Twitter
This cheeky stoat stopped to pose for John Edwards' camera at Whitsand Bay in south-east Cornwall.
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
Police investigate alleged boy rape at Halloween partypublished at 10:22 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online
Police are investigating the alleged rape of a teenage boy and the sexual assault of a girl at a Halloween party in Plymouth.
A man allegedly forced the two children to perform a sexual act before he abused them on Saturday night at the party in the city, police said.
Detectives from Plymouth Sexual Offences and Domestic Abuse Investigation Team are leading the investigation.
The children involved are being looked after by specialist officers and are being video interviewed for their statements.
A 36-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of the rape and sexual assault of two teenagers, has been released under investigation pending further inquiries.
Gorse fires light up Trevose Head near Padstowpublished at 10:18 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online
Image source, Padstow Community Fire Station
Fire crews attended a large gorse fire at a Cornish beauty spot on Sunday evening.
The fire on Trevose Head near Padstow was brought under control using hoses and beaters.
The cause of the blaze is being investigated.
Fire crews from Wadebridge and Padstow attended.
Image source, Padstow Community Fire Station
Two dinghy sailors rescues from River Exepublished at 10:06 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online
A lifeboat crew rescued two solo dinghy sailors who got into difficulty in the River Exe on Saturday evening.
Exmouth RNLI launched just after 18:00. With light fading and difficult conditions, both men were taken to Starcross Yacht Club.
Quote Message
The first casualty did the right thing and called the Coastguard using his mobile phone, although a VHF radio would have been a more reliable method of communication. The second casualty had taken on a substantial amount of water in his dinghy, he was struggling and could have found himself in a more serious situation in the dark if we hadn’t assisted him at the time."
Scott Ranft, Helm on Exmouth lifeboat
Image source, RNLI
MP confident of Dawlish railway fundingpublished at 09:23 Greenwich Mean Time 29 October 2018
Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online
A Conservative MP says he's confident money will be allocated for the multimillion-pound Dawlish railway upgrade in the Budget.
Gary Streeter says he's desperate to see the new project get under way.
It would see the track - which is often battered by storms - built out into the sea.
Image source, Steve Briers
Network Rail is holding a meeting in Dawlish this week to update residents and it's hoped detailed designs for the work will go out for consultation early next year.
UK Chancellor Philip Hammond will deliver what is expected to be his last Budget before Britain leaves the EU - but he's already said he'd have to rewrite his plans in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Quote Message
This is a new engineering solution where the railway track is being taken out away from the cliffs - over the water. It's not something you can do lightly, and no doubt they're looking at how deep the pilings have got to go and all the rest of it. I'm desperate to see it - I'm desperate to get this under way and resolve this resilience problem.
Gary Streeter MP