BBC Somerset

Philip Young in court charged with drugging and raping ex-wife

Philip Young in court charged with drugging and raping ex-wife

Clara BullockWest of EnglandPracedoPhilip Young, 49, is charged with 56 offencesA former councillor has appeared in court accused of a string of sexual offences against his ex-wife over a 13-year period.Philip Young is charged with 56 offences, including multiple counts of rape and administering a substance with intent to stupefy his former spouse Joanne Young, who has waived her legal right to anonymity. Appearing at Swindon Magistrates' Court earlier, the 49-year-old - formerly of Swindon but now of…

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Police end investigation over Glastonbury performance

Police end investigation over Glastonbury performance

BBCAn investigation by Avon and Somerset Police into chants made during a Bob Vylan performance at Glastonbury has concluded no further action will be taken."We have concluded, after reviewing all the evidence, that it does not meet the criminal threshold outlined by the CPS for any person to be prosecuted," the force said in a statement."No further action will be taken on the basis there is insufficient evidential for there to be a realistic prospect of conviction."The investigation…

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Ham Hill visitor centre on Iron Age fortress opens its doors

Ham Hill visitor centre on Iron Age fortress opens its doors

Chris LockyerSomerset, Ham Hill Country ParkBBCThe new visitor centre has been openedA new £2.5m visitor centre at what is thought to be the biggest Iron Age hillfort in the country has opened its doors.Based at Ham Hill Country Park near Yeovil in Somerset, the new site features a gallery, museum, cafe and shop.The centre, which was paid for using money from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Wolfson Foundation, will also host community education sessions with park…

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Gary Johnson: Taunton Town job ‘tickled my fancy’

Gary Johnson: Taunton Town job ‘tickled my fancy’

The west and south west has long been a successful stomping ground for London-born Johnson, who also spent two years as boss of the Latvia men's national team.He guided Yeovil Town to the Championship in 2013, having led them into the Football League in his first spell in charge at Huish Park from 2001 to 2005.That initial stint with the Glovers featured two league triumphs - the Conference crown in 2002-03 and League Two title two years later…

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‘Famous’ cat has his own book and is social media star

‘Famous’ cat has his own book and is social media star

Anna DavisKnown as the Fonz of Frome, the popular cat has inspired a children's picture bookThe owner of a "very sociable" cat whose trips to shops and pubs have made him an online star, says he "cries like a baby" if he is kept inside.Anna Davis, from Frome in Somerset, said Frodo, 13, is so popular the ginger cat features in a kids' book, has his own charity Christmas card, and has been voted Frome's "purr-son of the…

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Family fundraise for quiet room after son’s stay at Bath’s RUH

Family fundraise for quiet room after son’s stay at Bath’s RUH

Georgia EadieWest of EnglandBBCBen spent a week at the Royal United Hospitals in Bath after his type 1 diabetes diagnosisThe parents of a seven-year-old boy who found his stay on a children's hospital ward "overwhelming" are fundraising for a new quiet room. Ben, from Wells in Somerset, spent a week at the Royal United Hospitals (RUH) in Bath after he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in April.Ben's family is aiming to raise £5,000 towards the development of…

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Cowboy builder Mark Killick is jailed for 14 years

Cowboy builder Mark Killick is jailed for 14 years

Martin Jones,West Investigations andCarys Nally,BristolAvon & Somerset PoliceMark Killick's five-month trial at Bristol Crown Court heard he had three previous convictions for fraudA prolific cowboy builder who defrauded 37 customers out of more than £1.25m has been jailed for 14 years.Mark Killick, from Paulton in North East Somerset, also used the names Marc Cole and Mark Jenkins when he agreed to take on building work.Between 2019 and 2021, while trading as TD Cole, he failed to complete work…

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Watchet Harbour drug smuggler is jailed for more than 10 years

Watchet Harbour drug smuggler is jailed for more than 10 years

A man who was part of a gang that tried to smuggle £26.5m worth of cocaine into the UK through a Somerset harbour has been jailed for 10 years and seven months.Melios Delvina, 38, was involved in bringing 300kg of the drug to Watchet Harbour, using a cover story that they were in the area to fish. Delvina, along with Craig Nuttall, 51, his brother Raymond Nuttall, 47, from Preston and Anestis Tsepa, 24, were arrested by officers…

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Pedestrian dies after crash on A303 near South Petherton

Pedestrian dies after crash on A303 near South Petherton

Police have said they want to speak to a "key witness" after a pedestrian died when they were struck by a car.Avon and Somerset Police said officers were called to the incident on the A303 eastbound between South Petherton and Cartgate Services in Somerset at about 21:40 GMT on Sunday.Officers said the incident involved the pedestrian, who died at the scene, and a Seat Leon just before the A356 junction for Crewkerne.The force is keen to speak to…

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Illegal vapes and tobacco worth £50k seized from Taunton shops

Illegal vapes and tobacco worth £50k seized from Taunton shops

Two shops have closed after police found illegal tobacco and vapes worth £50,000 on their premises.The Taunton Market and Top Market shops, both on Station Road in Taunton, have been visited by Trading Standards officers, police, and tobacco detection dogs, who found illegal products.Taunton Magistrates Court granted three-month closure orders on both premises.Alex Fry, operations manager at Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service, said: "Combatting the supply of illegal tobacco and vapes is a high priority…

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