Devon News

Ex-solicitor accused of rapes in Plymouth court and police cells

Ex-solicitor accused of rapes in Plymouth court and police cells

BBCSome of the alleged offences took place in the cells at Plymouth Magistrates' CourtA former criminal defence solicitor has been charged with the sexual assault and rape against eight men and a woman in the cells of a police station and a magistrates' court, a court has heard.Alan Harris, 71, 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…

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Body recovered after safety work at burned house in Bideford

Body recovered after safety work at burned house in Bideford

A body has been recovered following safety work at the scene of a property fire, police have said. A murder investigation had been launched into the fire at a terraced house on Homestone Street at around 20:30 GMT on 28 October, and a number of arrests were made.Devon and Cornwall Police said a man had remained unaccounted for and work involving structural engineers has been taking place at the scene.The body was recovered on Sunday once part of…

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Devon’s Turner Twins climb Himalayan mountain with 1920s kit

Devon’s Turner Twins climb Himalayan mountain with 1920s kit

The Turner TwinsHugo (left) and Ross Turner wanted to show whether vintage climbing kit could handle the testTwin brothers have conquered a Himalayan mountain, one dressed in modern clothing, the other wearing a replica of kit worn by British explorers 100 years ago.Hugo and Ross Turner, from Christow in Devon, have taken part in a number of extreme adventures and said they wanted to see how their bodies reacted in the freezing temperatures of Mera Peak, near Everest,…

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Increased funds from Torbay Council too late, says land charity

Increased funds from Torbay Council too late, says land charity

Torbay Coast and Countryside TrustTorbay Coast and Countryside Trust looked after 80% of Torbay's landscapes, including Berry HeadA conservation charity which leased and maintained coastal areas said it did not receive increased funds from a council in time to prevent it from financial collapse.Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust (TCCT), which received a management fee from the council, entered voluntary administration in October.The trust looked after 80% of Torbay's landscapes and more than 40 miles (64km) of coast paths…

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Jobs under threat at Plymouth luxury boat builder Princess Yachts

Jobs under threat at Plymouth luxury boat builder Princess Yachts

Up to 40 jobs could be at risk at a luxury boat builder after lower than expected wholesale orders.Princess Yachts, which is based in Plymouth, Devon, said it was entering a consultation process that may lead to a "small number of redundancies".Trade union Unite said up to 40 jobs including managerial positions were at risk, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.The firm, which blamed economic and market conditions for the drop in orders, has also cut 240 jobs…

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BBC Radio Devon presenters tackling three-legged challenge

BBC Radio Devon presenters tackling three-legged challenge

BBC radio presenters have begun their part of a 1,000 mile three-legged charity challenge for Children in Need.Caroline Densley and Michael Chequer from BBC Radio Devon intend to cover 12.5 miles (20.12km) over the two-day challenge. Chequer began in Bideford and Densley began in Exmouth earlier. They will be walking each mile tied to a different person, including volunteers and staff from Children in Need-funded projects.Open Door, Action East Devon, Taw and Torridge Voluntary Services and Home Start…

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Plymouth speed camera damaged in ‘reckless act of vandalism’

Plymouth speed camera damaged in ‘reckless act of vandalism’

A speed camera has been damaged in a "reckless act of vandalism" that the local council said could have seriously endangered the public.Police notified Plymouth City Council that the street lighting column on Victoria Road, St Budeaux, had been damaged early on Saturday.Highways teams attended the scene, before the upper column and the speed enforcement camera was removed and the lower column made safe, the council said.The camera, which had been lent to police free of charge by…

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Fewer shark deaths when fishing guidelines followed

Fewer shark deaths when fishing guidelines followed

Most sharks survived after being released by non-commercial fishermen when angling guidelines were followed, a study has found.The University of Exeter said researchers tagged nearly 70 blue, porbeagle and tope sharks to track their behaviour after being caught recreationally using the catch-and-release technique.Fish are put back into the water to help conserve populations when the catch-and-release technique is used, but animal rights groups have said the method could still cause injury or death.Researchers said out of the sharks…

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Man’s mission after COPD lung operation’s ‘unbelievable’ change

Man’s mission after COPD lung operation’s ‘unbelievable’ change

BBCJim Shaylor said he would recommend the procedure "100%"A Devon man who was one of the first in the country to have an operation to improve his breathing is now helping almost 50 people a week with theirs.Jim Shaylor, 74, has COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] - an incurable chronic lung condition affecting more than 1.2 million people in the UK.In 2022, he had an operation to collapse part of his lung to reduce his breathlessness, his health…

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FA Cup second-round draw: Two sixth-tier sides guaranteed third-round ties

FA Cup second-round draw: Two sixth-tier sides guaranteed third-round ties

Two sides from the sixth-tier of the English football pyramid are guaranteed to be in this season's FA Cup third round following Monday's second-round draw.National League South's Slough Town were the first team to be pulled out and will host Macclesfield of National League North.Chelmsford City, who dispatched local rivals Braintree Town 4-1 at the weekend to make the second round, have a home tie against fellow National League South side Weston-super-Mare.Elsewhere, Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke goes…

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