Summary

  • Murder accused man says he 'never hurt' toddler Eve Leatherland

  • Term-time holiday fines in Cornwall rise sharply in a year from five to more than 370

  • Future of residents affected by Buckfastleigh explosion to be decided

  • Rival Devon football clubs team up for prison project

  • Tributes to Devon prominent trade unionist Paul Raybould after he dies aged 55

  • Updates from Monday 25 March 2019

  1. Man rescued after collapsing in firepublished at 08:59 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2019

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    A man has been rescued from a burning building after collapsing in the doorway.

    Fire crews were called to a property in Bishopsteignton, Devon, on Sunday evening after reports of an alarm sounding.

    Once the crew were in attendance, the officer in charge confirmed alarms were sounding, there was a smell of burning and the occupant was believed to be inside.

    The man had collapsed in a doorway inside the property, and was taken to hospital for precautionary checks.

    The property was made safe by the crew and "naturally ventilated due to the heavy smoke logging".

    The cause is believed to be accidental.

  2. Prominent trade unionist Paul Raybould dies aged 55published at 08:41 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2019

    Sophie Pierce
    BBC Radio Devon

    Well-known trade Devon unionist Paul Raybould has died aged 55, his family has confirmed.

    Mr Raybould was the Torbay Branch Secretary of the GMB, and was also involved in the TUC.

    He was standing as a candidate in the upcoming Torbay Council elections.

    Paul RaybouldImage source, Darren Cowell

    Former Torbay councillor Darren Cowell said it was "shockingly sad news" and that his death was "a great loss to his family and friends".

    Torbay Conservative MP Kevin Foster tweeted, external that he was "very sad" to hear the news, describing Mr Raybould as a "tireless campaigner, worthy [election] opponent in 2017 and a friend to all involved in public life in the bay".

    Other tributes described him as a "true public servant" and a "fighter for justice".

  3. Two hurt in head-on 'drink drive' crashpublished at 08:18 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2019

    Millicent Cooke
    BBC News Online

    Crash sceneImage source, Alliance RPT/Twitter

    Two people have been injured in a head-on crash between a car and a pickup truck.

    The crash happened on the A386, near the Pitts Cleave Industrial Estate in Tavistock, at about 09:00 on Sunday.

    A female passenger was airlifted to hospital in Plymouth and a male driver was also taken by ambulance.

    Police tweeted that the road had been "blocked due to a thoughtless drink-driver".

    They added that it was "lucky" there were "no serious injuries".

    Officers said the "offending driver required hospital treatment" and "will be followed up when fit to be spoken to".

  4. Term-time holiday fines in Cornwall rise sharplypublished at 08:11 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2019

    Jenny Kumah
    BBC South West politics reporter

    There's been a sharp rise in the number of fines issued to parents in Cornwall for taking children on term-time holidays.

    The rules were introduced in 2013 and mean parents who don't stick to official holiday times face a fine of £60.

    Children on beach with familyImage source, Getty Images

    In 2016 to 2017: Five fines were issued

    In 2017 to 2018: 374 fines were issued

    Councils can require parents to pay £60 each per child taken out of school without permission, but this rises to £120 if not paid within 21 days, and after 28 days parents can be prosecuted.

    Cornwall Council said it issued penalty notices on behalf of head teachers and it was a head teacher's individual decision as to whether to authorise term-time leave.

    The law allows them to do so if they deem it to be in "exceptional circumstances".

  5. South West weather: Chilly start, mainly drypublished at 08:03 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2019

    BBC Weather

    It will be a chilly start for some on Monday morning, with a few isolated mist patches.

    But it will develop into a mainly dry day with some good periods of sunshine, although cloudier conditions are possible for a brief time in the morning with a low risk of an isolated light shower.

    It's going to be a generally clear night, which will allow temperatures to fall low enough to produce a light ground frost in some sheltered rural areas.

    Maximum temperature: 11C (52F).

    Devon:

    Weather chart

    Cornwall:

    Weather chart