Author: George Thorpe

This author has written 27 articles

Former Plymouth solicitor denies sex abuse and rape of clients

Former Plymouth solicitor denies sex abuse and rape of clients

Stephen Richards/GeographAlan Harris is accused of sexually abusing clients in the cells at Charles Cross Police Station (pictured) and Plymouth Magistrates' CourtA former criminal defence solicitor has denied he sexually abused and raped clients.Alan Harris, of Thorn Park, Plymouth, Devon, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of 18 charges of indecent assault, eight charges of sexual assault, three charges of rape and one of another serious sexual offence.The 72-year-old, who has denied all 30 charges, is…

Continue ReadingFormer Plymouth solicitor denies sex abuse and rape of clients

South West minerals have ‘huge amount to offer UK’

South West minerals have ‘huge amount to offer UK’

George Thorpe,South WestandSeb Noble,Cornwall political reporterBBCIndustry Minister Chris McDonald said the critical minerals industry to offer a lot of value to the South WestMinerals from the South West could play a big part in a strategy to reduce the UK's reliance on using foreign material, the government says.Industry Minister Chris McDonald visited Cornwall to launch the Critical Minerals Strategy, which aims to produce 10% of the UK's mineral needs domestically, along with a further 20% through recycling products…

Continue ReadingSouth West minerals have ‘huge amount to offer UK’

Chile snowstorm survivor says they had to help themselves

Chile snowstorm survivor says they had to help themselves

George Thorpe and Angela Kalwaites,South WestBBCChristian Aldridge said staff at the park did not take requests for help seriouslySurvivors of a snowstorm in Patagonia which killed five people including a British woman have said local authorities did not offer enough help.Victoria Bond, 40, from Cornwall, was among those killed in the tourist hotspot of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.Christian Aldridge, who was part of the hiking group, said they had to organise their own rescue party…

Continue ReadingChile snowstorm survivor says they had to help themselves

Gritter overturns as icy weather set to arrive in South West

Gritter overturns as icy weather set to arrive in South West

A gritting lorry has blocked a road after overturning while heading out ahead of expected wintry weather conditions.The crash happened on the A382 near Moretonhampstead and Lustleigh on Dartmoor at about 15:20 GMT with a road closure set up while emergency services deal with the incident.Devon and Cornwall Police said the driver of the lorry is believed to have sustained minor injuries and motorists have been asked to avoid the area.Councils across Devon and Cornwall have sent gritters…

Continue ReadingGritter overturns as icy weather set to arrive in South West

Advice for passengers due to travel

Advice for passengers due to travel

George ThorpeChannel IslandsBBCAdvice has been issued for Blue Islands passengers after the airline ceased tradingAdvice has been issued for passengers affected by the collapse of Jersey-based airline Blue Islands.The Channel Islands-based operator confirmed on Friday it had suspended trading and cancelled all future flights to destinations including Jersey, Guernsey, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton.Airlines Aurigny and Loganair have both put on extra flights to their schedules to help passengers whose original booking had been cancelled.The Government of Jersey advised…

Continue ReadingAdvice for passengers due to travel

BBC Devon presenters finish Children in Need challenge

BBC Devon presenters finish Children in Need challenge

BBCBBC Radio Devon presenter Caroline Densley walked around Plymouth and Devonport on day two of the challengeBBC Radio Devon presenters have completed their part of a 1,000-mile (1,609km) three-legged charity challenge for Children in Need (CIN).Caroline Densley and Michael Chequer walked a combined 28.3 miles (45.5km) while tied to a different person, which included volunteers and staff from CIN-funded projects, over the course of the two-day fundraising challenge.On Wednesday, Densley walked around Plymouth and Devonport, while Chequer completed…

Continue ReadingBBC Devon presenters finish Children in Need challenge

Arrest after knifepoint street robbery in Plymouth

Arrest after knifepoint street robbery in Plymouth

A man has been arrested after a knifepoint robbery in Plymouth, police have said.It happened on Kit Hill Crescent in the Barne Barton area at about 03:45 GMT on Wednesday, Devon and Cornwall Police said.The force said a man is believed to have approached another man in a car and "made threats to harm" him before stealing the vehicle's keys.A man in his 40s from Plymouth has been arrested on suspicion of robbery, attempted robbery and threatening a…

Continue ReadingArrest after knifepoint street robbery in Plymouth

One person unaccounted for after Bideford house fire

One person unaccounted for after Bideford house fire

Ryan McDonaldDevon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the terraced property was "well alight" when crews arrived at the sceneOne person remains unaccounted for and an arson investigation has been launched following a fire at a terraced home, police have said.Devon and Cornwall Police said five people had been arrested in connection to the fire and all were being held in police custody.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called to Honestone Street in…

Continue ReadingOne person unaccounted for after Bideford house fire

Vandals cause £19k damage to Exeter skate park fence

Thousands of pounds worth of damage has been caused to a sound barrier at a skate park.The fencing which helped shield nearby areas from noise at the site has been vandalised at Arena Skate Park in the Whipton area of Exeter.Councillor Ruth Williams, Exeter City Council's lead for city management, said £19,000 damage had been caused.Williams added vandalism had been happening regularly and urged people to report any further damage to Devon and Cornwall Police."It saddens me to…

Continue ReadingVandals cause £19k damage to Exeter skate park fence

M5 reopens after lorry fire causes major delays in Devon

M5 reopens after lorry fire causes major delays in Devon

George Thorpe,Archie Farmer andZhara SimpsonSouth WestWatch: Dashcam footage of a lorry fire which closed part of the M5There has been disruption on the M5 after a lorry fire forced the closure of part of the road in Devon for several hours.The fire started on the northbound side of the motorway between junctions 30 and 29 in Exeter at about 11:35 BST, said Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.National Highways said the lorry was carrying 20 tonnes (2000kg)…

Continue ReadingM5 reopens after lorry fire causes major delays in Devon

Major delays on M5 due to lorry fire

Major delays on M5 due to lorry fire

George ThorpeDevon andArchie FarmerDevonWatch: Dashcam footage of a lorry fire which closed part of the M5There has been disruption on the M5 after a lorry fire forced the closure of part of the road in Devon.The fire started on the northbound side of the motorway between junctions 30 and 29 in Exeter at about 11:35 BST, said Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.National Highways said the lorry was transporting batteries and domestic appliances with nine miles (14.48km)…

Continue ReadingMajor delays on M5 due to lorry fire

Nancy Astor statue in Plymouth removed to fix wobble

A statue of the first female MP to take her seat in the House of Commons has been temporarily moved for repairs.Plymouth City Council said the bronze figure of Nancy Astor was taken away on Monday from its position on the Hoe for up to 12 weeks while "essential maintenance work" was completed.The authority said a wobble had developed due to the statue's position on the seafront and exposure to the elements.Astor became the first woman to sit…

Continue ReadingNancy Astor statue in Plymouth removed to fix wobble