Exeter end Saracens' unbeaten startpublished at 17:48 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2018
Exeter end Saracens' unbeaten start to the season with a 31-13 victory over the Premiership champions at Sandy Park.
Read MoreSummary
Firefighters rescue Christmas gifts from burning home
Police seek 'nurse' after hit-and-run crash in Exeter
Drugs seized by police in Brixham
Dog dies at sea after getting stranded off Newquay
Christmas card greetings are 'bad for your health'
Late-night snack sets fire to flat
Updates on Friday 21 December 2018
Exeter end Saracens' unbeaten startpublished at 17:48 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December 2018
Police seek potential witness following alleged robberypublished at 17:33 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
Jenna Hawkey
BBC News OnlinePolice are looking to identify a potential witness, external as part of an investigation into an alleged robbery in Torquay.
The incident is reported to have happened on Union Street at about 04:15 on 2 December.
A police spokesman said: “Whilst the man pictured is not involved in the incident, we would like to speak him as a witness as it’s believed he may have vital information relevant to the investigation”.
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End of twitter postBusinessman who groomed vulnerable girl is jailedpublished at 17:32 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
A Devon businessman who groomed a vulnerable 15-year-old girl has been jailed for almost eight years.
Nicholas Hickson, 53, took advantage of the girl’s background of physical abuse to exploit her and persuade her to take part in sexual acts.
He was convicted at Exeter Crown Court of seven counts of sexual activity with a child and jailed for seven years and eight months.
The judge heard a moving statement written by the victim, which read: ”I didn’t think anyone would believe me.
"In my worst moments I felt helpless, ashamed and trapped. Looking back, I don’t think I had much of a childhood.
"There were times when I wanted to give up trying to make sense of it all."
Image source, GoogleHickson, of Richmond Close, Sampford Peverell, denied all the allegations, meaning the girl had to give evidence at the trial in November, which she said had brought back all the memories of the abuse she suffered.
Judge Peter Johnson told him: ”You knew she was vulnerable and you abused her time after time. She was required to give evidence and, as you know, she found that a traumatic experience."
Cornwall's Glover hasn't ruled out Tokyo Olympicspublished at 16:55 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
BBC Radio 5 liveOlympic rower Helen Glover hasn't ruled out competing at the Tokyo Olympics and has revealed she's still at a certain level of training.
Glover who became a mum to baby Logan back in July says her long term future isn't clear.
Speaking on BBC Radio FiveLive earlier the gold medallist from Cornwall says it is unlikely, but didn't completely rule it out.
Image source, ReutersQuote MessageI loved being part of Team GB. Physically that opportunity is still there, I'm still training. Whether I have the drive, the ambition, I don't know whether it's what I want right now.
Helen Glover
Brexit: No stockpiling of goods in Devonpublished at 16:41 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
Weather: Windy with some showerspublished at 16:31 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
It will remain windy overnight with some clear spells, but also a few showers spreading from the west.
Minimum temperature: 6C (43F)
Pair jailed for dealing heroinpublished at 15:27 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
The men were arrested after police found heroin with a street level value of nearly £10,000.
Read MoreFalklands War memorial bench installed at Plymouth stationpublished at 15:10 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
A special memorial bench, remembering those involved in the Falklands War, has been installed in Plymouth.
A ceremony to unveil the metal seat took place at the city's railway station on Friday morning.
Before its reveal, the bench was draped in the ensign which flew on the masthead of HMS Active in 1982.
Quote MessagePlymouth has a lot of Naval tradition. When the people come in and out and see the bench, they'll have a look around and hopefully pick up some more information. Someone might even be inspired to come and join!
Mark Davis, Veteran
Drugs seized by police in Brixhampublished at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online
Image source, Devon and Cornwall PoliceA number of Class A and Class B drugs have been found at a property in Brixham, police have said.
Officers forced entry to carry out a drugs warrant at about 18:45 on Thursday.
Two people - a 38-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man - were found inside and detained while the warrant was completed.
Phones, scales and several hundreds of pounds of cash were also seized.
Image source, Devon and Cornwall PoliceThe warrant forms part of Operation Olympic - an ongoing proactive piece of work which aims to disrupt and prevent the supply of Class A drugs in Brixham.
It started in December 2016 and so far, has helped seize an estimated value of more than £300,000 in drugs and assets.
A further 98 warrants have been executed and 79 people have been arrested in relation to the operation, Devon and Cornwall Police added.
Winter Solstice is herepublished at 14:06 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
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End of twitter postChristmas train lights up countrysidepublished at 13:48 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
Board the Christmas Train of Lights as it snakes through the Devon countryside.
Read MorePremiership: Exeter end Saracens' unbeaten start - as it happenedpublished at 13:47 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
Relive all Saturday's Premiership action as Exeter end Saracens' unbeaten start while Leicester and Sale both win.
Read MoreNHS warns of norovirus outbreaks in Cornwallpublished at 13:43 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
Jenna Hawkey
BBC News OnlineThe NHS in Cornwall is warning people about outbreaks of norovirus - or the "winter vomiting bug".
NHS Kernow said there had been outbreaks of the virus at "expected levels" in care homes and hospitals.
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End of twitter postThe main symptoms of norovirus are vomiting and diarrhoea.
NHS Kernow is advising people, external to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water to stop the virus spreading.
Veteran film actor Donald Moffat diespublished at 13:41 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
Chances are you'll recognise his face from his many film and TV roles, if not his name.
Read MoreMetals from cremations recycled for charitypublished at 13:16 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
Jenna Hawkey
BBC News OnlineA crematorium is raising money for a local children's charity - by recycling metals from cremated remains, external.
The North Devon Crematorium has donated £5,000 to the North Devon Children’s Holiday Foundation (NDCHF), which provides holidays for children with a serious illness or disability.
The national scheme recycles metals such as fillings and replacement knees and hips, and is only carried out with the consent of the bereaved.
Quote MessageWe are very grateful to the crematorium for their generous donation for the Children's Holiday Foundation North Devon. The money will be spent on the next holiday for eight more children in May 2019 to Florida. All these children have suffered with serious illnesses or major disabilities and they all benefit enormously from the experience."
Dr Robin Buckland, North Devon Children’s Holiday Foundation
Image source, North Devon CouncilImage caption, Dr Robin Buckland (from NDCHF), Cllr Mervyn Langmead and Mark Drummond (crematorium manager)
The scheme is run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management and also helps to reduce harmful pollutants being buried in the ground.
Quote MessageWe really appreciate the support of families in allowing us to take part in this national scheme. Without their consent we wouldn’t be able to donate to important local charities like NDCHF, which aims to give the holiday of a lifetime to seriously ill children in North Devon.”
Councillor Mervyn Langmead, Vice Chairman, North Devon Crematorium Joint Committee
A35 cleared after tree fallpublished at 13:08 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
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End of twitter postRock band Reef to perform at Cornish cider festivalpublished at 13:06 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
Hayley Westcott
BBC News OnlineThe Little Orchard Cider and Music Festival has announced its first headliner of 2019.
Alternative rock band, Reef will be taking to the main stage alongside acts including The Wurzels, Skinny Lister and Mad Dog Mcrea.
The festival will be returning to the grounds of Healey’s Cyder Farm in Penhallow, Cornwall, on 13 September for three days.
Reef made its debut appearance at the festival in 2016.
Festival organiser, Ian Whittaker, said 2018 was a "huge success" for Little Orchard.
"The festival benefited from a revised layout and exciting new areas popped up in different locations throughout Healey’s Cyder Farm.
"Planning is well and truly under way to make our seventh year truly memorable. We cannot wait to see everyone there.”
Police seek woman after hit-and-run crash in Exeterpublished at 12:31 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online
Image caption, Flowers have been left at the scene of the hit-in-run in Exeter
Police want to identify a woman - possibly a nurse - who treated a victim at the scene of a hit-and-run in Exeter.
A 19-year-old woman died in hospital after being hit by a car underneath a railway bridge on Alphington Road, Exeter, at about 21:20 on 15 December.
A 26-year-old man from Exeter was arrested and bailed until 13 January.
Devon and Cornwall Police is appealing for witnesses and anyone who lives or works in Alphington Street or Haven Road with a CCTV system installed on their premises.
A police spokesperson said: "We are also keen to trace the identity of a woman, possibly a nurse who offered and provided first aid to the victim at the scene. We ask that this person also contacts the investigation team."
Anyone with information should contact officers on 101.
Councillor concern over safety of A30 lay-bypublished at 12:15 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
Richard Whitehouse
Local Democracy Reporting ServiceA councillor said he is "seriously concerned" about the safety of a lay-by next to a busy stretch of the A30.
Simon Elliott, Cornwall councillor for Ludgvan, said he has been contacted by a number of local residents concerned about the lay-by at Crowlas, near Penzance.
Image source, Simon ElliottHe raised the issue after a trader was recently granted a licence to continue selling carved animals and local produce from land next to the lay-by.
Mr Elliott had objected to Keith Davies operating there, but said there were also concerns about other people selling cars from land close to the lay-by and a mobile advertising hoarding which was placed there during the summer.
He said with increasing traffic to and from Penzance using the A30 through Crowlas, there have been a number of concerns raised by residents about three issues in particular:
- The crossroads in Crowlas
- The speed of traffic through Crowlas
- The increasing use of the Ludgvan Leaze lay-by and the grass verges round it for car sales
Moving forwards, Mr Elliot said he wants to see traffic safety measures in Crowlas put in place and a new A30 route from Newtown to St Erth that takes the traffic away from these villages and "helps Penzance grow".
Devon County Council sign charter to end lonelinesspublished at 11:53 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2018
Hayley Westcott
BBC News OnlineA charter to end loneliness has been signed by representatives at Devon County Council.
The Health and Well-being Board - which oversees the strategic delivery of health and social care services in the county - said it wants to "better understand" the extent of loneliness in Devon.
It added it also wants to raise awareness of it and involve people who experience loneliness, by helping to identify ways to reduce it.
Quote MessageYoung or old, loneliness is something that anyone can experience, and everyone can do something about. We’re asking people to consider what they can do for themselves, or for others, to help combat loneliness, and for them to visit our website for ideas and information.
Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Chair of the Health and Well-being Board
More information can be found here., external
