Devon News

Child reveals murder plot as man guilty in double jeopardy trial

Child reveals murder plot as man guilty in double jeopardy trial

Surrey PoliceRobert Rhodes, 52, has been convicted of murdering his wife, Dawn Rhodes, in a trial at Inner London Crown CourtA man has been found guilty of murdering his wife eight years after being cleared of the crime - after their child gave new evidence.Robert Rhodes stabbed his wife Dawn in the neck but was acquitted of murder in 2017 after claiming she had tried to attack him.The retrial came after new evidence from Rhodes' child – disclosed…

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Man jailed over murder of partner in Plymouth flat

Man jailed over murder of partner in Plymouth flat

A man who concealed the murder of his partner in his flat has been jailed.Mark Fitzgerald, 62, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years and 168 days after being found guilty over the murder of Lisa Paris, 54, in March 2024. Plymouth Crown Court heard he left her dead body under a duvet in his flat on Rendle Street in Plymouth, Devon.It heard the relationship between the two was marked by his repeated violence…

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Surrey man guilty of wife’s murder after child reveals plot

Surrey man guilty of wife’s murder after child reveals plot

Surrey PoliceRobert Rhodes, 52, has been convicted of murdering his wife, Dawn Rhodes, in a trial at Inner London Crown CourtA man has been found guilty of murdering his wife following a retrial under double jeopardy rules, eight years after being cleared.Robert Rhodes stabbed his wife Dawn in the neck and was acquitted of murder in 2017 after claiming she had tried to attack him.The retrial came after new evidence from Rhodes' child – disclosed during therapy –…

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Jack Mackenzie: Tom Cleverley hopeful on Plymouth Argyle defender

Jack Mackenzie: Tom Cleverley hopeful on Plymouth Argyle defender

Plymouth Argyle defender Jack Mackenzie could return to training in the new year.The summer signing from Aberdeen has yet to kick a ball in anger for the Pilgrims after a series of injuries that began in pre-season.Having been hit by tendonitis in his knee, the 25-year-old then developed shin splints. However, Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley is hopeful he is coming to the end of his injury issues. "Jack's problem circulated around his legs a little bit where…

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Sonny Cox: Gary Caldwell challenges Exeter striker to score more

Sonny Cox: Gary Caldwell challenges Exeter striker to score more

Exeter City striker Sonny Cox has been challenged to score more goals after his return from injury.The 21-year-old has missed almost three months with a groin problem, but came on as a substitute in the 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night.The homegrown forward has scored just twice since the start of last season, but manager Gary Caldwell feels he has the ability to make a difference up front. "I want to see a hunger and a…

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About £2.2m to improve north Devon Tarka Trail

About £2.2m to improve north Devon Tarka Trail

BBCGovernment funding and local money will be used for the projectAbout £2.2m will be used to improve existing sections of a popular walking and cycling trail.The changes to the Tarka Trail in north Devon have been split into three projects, with Spreacombe Junction to North Buckland Hill being one, both North Buckland Hill to Cottages and Cottages to Nethercott Road being another, with the third on Deans Copse, Nethercott Road to Knowle.Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council cabinet…

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Plymouth man found guilty of murdering his partner in his flat

Plymouth man found guilty of murdering his partner in his flat

A man has been found guilty of murdering his partner at his flat.On Thursday, a jury at Plymouth Crown Court convicted Mark Fitzgerald unanimously for murdering 54-year-old Lisa Paris at his Rendle Street flat, in the city, in March 2024.Fitzgerald had denied her murder during the three-week trial. The court heard Ms Paris was last seen alive on 8 March 2024, but her body was not found until 10 days later.She had 70 bruise wounds to her head,…

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Exeter City Council to borrow more than £1m for solar panels

Exeter City Council to borrow more than £1m for solar panels

More than £1m is to be borrowed to fit six buildings with solar panels, a city council has said.Exeter City Council estimated the initiative would save it about £100,000 every year and cut emissions.Members of the full council voted in favour of installing solar panels at six sites including Exeter Arena sports centre, St Sidwell's Point leisure centre, Wonford Leisure Centre, the Guildhall car park, Exeter bus station and the Senate offices, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.A…

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Plan to transform special educational needs in Devon

Plan to transform special educational needs in Devon

Miles DavisDevon political reporterPA MediaDevon County Council wants to transform services for children with special educational needsDevon County Council wants to transform its services for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).The council said it wanted to focus on early intervention, getting children into local schools and making schools more inclusive to tackle the increasing demand for services.The council - which has built up more than £160m of debt in Send services - has asked the government…

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Rare Amur leopard cub born at Dartmoor Zoo is named

Rare Amur leopard cub born at Dartmoor Zoo is named

A zoo has revealed the name and sex of a rare leopard cub born in captivity.Dartmoor Zoo said Zeya was born at the Devon park in September.Staff said the cub was named after the River Zeya, a major tributary of the Amur River, within the animal's native range.CEO David Gibson said there were fewer than 200 Amur leopards in captivity globally.Mr Gibson said: "Now that we know for definite that the cub is healthy and thriving, we can…

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RNLI moves into Dartmouth station previously used in 1800s

RNLI moves into Dartmouth station previously used in 1800s

RNLIDart RNLI said its D class lifeboat was now housed in the purpose-built boathallAn RNLI crew has moved into a new "state-of-the-art" building, which was first used as a lifeboat station in the 1800s.Dart RNLI said its D class lifeboat was now housed in the purpose-built boathall with the station, based in Dartmouth, Devon, operational.The charity said the building had undergone extensive renovation and included a first floor open space for crew training, an office and a purpose-built…

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Brendan Galloway: Plymouth Argyle’s Zimbabwe defender ready for Afcon and Mohamed Salah test

Brendan Galloway: Plymouth Argyle’s Zimbabwe defender ready for Afcon and Mohamed Salah test

Galloway's final game in League One for Plymouth Argyle before heading to Afcon will be his 100th for the Pilgrims.They host Rotherham United hoping to win back-to-back games for the first time since early September as Argyle look to move out of the relegation zone.He says he is thankful for the club's support over the past four-and-a-half years which have seen him suffer serious knee and leg issues."I love the football club, I've been here a while so…

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