Trial date set for man accused of murdering inmate

A man accused of murdering a fellow prison inmate has been told his trial will take place next year.James Desborough, 39, from Cornwall appeared before Exeter Crown Court on Friday accused of murdering Steven Kempster, 65, who police said had been found dead in his cell in HMP Exeter on Monday.Mr Desborough appeared at court via video link from prison and spoke only to confirm his name.Judge James Patrick confirmed a plea and trial preparation hearing would take place on 16 October and fixed a trial to begin on 16 March. Source link

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Families rescued after fire breaks out at Sherford flats

Families rescued after fire breaks out at Sherford flats

BBCThe fire broke out at Aquila Drive in Sherford on Thursday eveningTwenty eight people were rescued while a further two evacuated themselves after fire broke out at a block of flats.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said families could not leave their homes due to thick smoke in the communal building at Aquila Drive at Sherford, Devon early on Friday.The service said the fire was confined to the stairwell but other parts of the building suffered smoke damage.The cause of the fire is being investigated.Fire crews were called at 2:20 BST on Friday. All those rescued were assessed by ambulance crews for the effects of smoke inhalation, with some given treatment, the service added. Source link

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Devon sports clubs recognised for positive impact

Devon sports clubs recognised for positive impact

BBC"Women come out of boxercise feeling awesome," says Phoenix Rising founder Claire LearSporting clubs are being recognised for making a change to people's physical and mental wellbeing.Four organisations have been nominated for the Active Award in BBC Radio Devon's 2025 Make a Difference Awards.Phoenix Rising in Torbay, Pisces Swimming Club and the Groovement Project, both in Plymouth, and Devon Deaf Rugby are all up for the award.They were nominated by members of the community ahead of a ceremony on 25 September.Matthew Pitcher said Devon Deaf Rugby gave players "the freedom to express themselves"Devon Deaf Rugby is the first county-based team in the country, organisers said."There's only Wales Deaf, England Deaf and Devon Deaf," said Matthew Pitcher, one of the team's coaches. "We've seen so many deaf players who haven't played before join this club."They have the freedom to express themselves - it's just so good for their mental health and wellbeing. I just love it."The positive impact of physical activity is also the motivation for activities run by Phoenix Rising in Torbay.Set up by trained sports scientist Claire Lear, survivors of domestic abuse are encouraged into recovery through exercise."When you've been through trauma, your body and your mind are not connected,"…

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M5 closed in both directions in Devon after crashes

M5 closed in both directions in Devon after crashes

BBCPolice have closed the M5 in both directions between J27 at Sampford Peverell to J28 in CullomptonA number of people have been seriously injured following two multi-vehicle collisions on the M5 in Devon, police have said.The motorway has been closed since Thursday evening following the crashes, which have resulted in major traffic delays. National Highways South West said the motorway was shut at about 23:00 BST in both directions between J27 at Sampford Peverell and J28 in Cullompton.Devon and Cornwall Police said the road would remain closed on Friday morning due to "extensive investigations". Devon County Council is advising motorists to use alternative routes and allow extra time for journeysThe force is appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following a three-vehicle collision on the M5 near Willand after which a man was taken to hospital with serious injuries.Police said the crash, near Junction 28 at about 21:50 on Thursday, involved a Vauxhall Zafira, a Ford Ka and a Porsche Boxster.Officers said a second collision was reported near the same junction at about 23:10 on and more information would be released in "due course".At about 08:45 police said the closures would remain in place for "at least another two hours"."A number of…

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Gary Caldwell: Exeter City boss keen to protect players from online criticism

Caldwell says he tries to protect his players from the worst of any abuse they may suffer.As a former Celtic captain and Scotland international, Caldwell says he has experienced criticism throughout his career and had the help of experienced managers to guide him."I'm fortunate that negativity fuels me," he added."I've kind of had it my whole life. I know what that negativity feels like and I know what you need to do to get through that, and that's why I stick up for players so much when that criticism comes, because I know they need support at that moment."They need people to get around them - I was fortunate I had good people, I think of times where Tony Mowbray, Gordon Strachan, Roberto Martinez, Walter Smith, those top managers, helped me in difficult moments."So the negativity for me is no problem whatsoever. There is no-one that's going to put more demands on me than I do myself."But for the players who are younger and who haven't experienced that, I want to try and protect them." Source link

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Extra police patrols for freshers’ week at Exeter university

With university courses restarting this month, police in Devon have been putting on extra patrols to help students feel safe during freshers' week - and educate them about the risks of a night out.Devon and Cornwall Police said it was also running joint patrols with Exeter City Council to monitor for suspicious activity, such as unlicensed taxis.Sector Insp Nathan Johnson said as a parent of a university student himself he wanted his daughter - and others - to be able to "dress how she wants, do what she wants but feel safe".One student said she was "reassured" speaking to police, as well as knowing where to "outreach if you feel unsafe", including through apps.As well as an increased police presence, a team of street pastors has been on hand to educate students on the dangers of spiking and hand out anti-spiking bottle caps.Another student said: "Our accommodation at East Park has campus security there really late and they have like green pathways back that have cameras on them so I feel really safe after a night out."Sector Insp Johnson said: "The city centre is covered with CCTV that's monitored. "We've got safer routes for people to walk back to university halls…

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Top 15 ranking for the University of Exeter as it’s celebrated as one of the most sustainable in the country

Concerted action to support a ‘greener, healthier and fairer’ future has resulted in the University of Exeter being ranked inside the top 15 higher education institutions in the country and named the second most sustainable. The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 – one of the most respected annual league tables in the country – has placed Exeter 14th out of 133 universities in this year’s table. The University was also named runner-up for Sustainable University of the Year in recognition of its success in embedding sustainability into the heart of its strategy and educational curriculum, and devoted academic expertise to tackling urgent global challenges. The publication today of The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 confirms that Exeter is placed comfortably inside the top 20 of the three main national league tables this year. Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor, said: “It’s great to see the University of Exeter retain its top 15 position in these rankings, showing that we continue to deliver high-quality education and research as we strive to address the challenges of creating a greener, healthier, fairer society. “To be considered as one of the top two most sustainable universities in the country…

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Plymouth Argyle search for new goalkeeper coach after Darryl Flahavan exit

Plymouth Argyle are closing in on appointing a new goalkeeper coach.It comes after news that Darryl Flahavan is to leave the club. The 46-year-old former Southend United and Bournemouth player had been at Home Park since January 2024 having previously spent time coaching at clubs including Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday."Darryl's been a fantastic servant to the football club, he's very good at what he does," head coach Tom Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon."He will be leaving the football club for personal reasons and the process of replacing him has been wheels in motion for the last couple of weeks."We are narrowing that down to a couple of strong candidates and I'm sure there will be an announcement in the next few days." Source link

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Torquay United boss Paul Wotton says poor away form will change

Torquay United manager Paul Wotton said his side's poor away form will change.The Gulls have earned two points from their four away games in National League South this season and lost 2-0 at AFC Totton in the FA Cup last week.They last won away from home in April when they beat Hemel Hempstead 4-1 in their final game of last season.Wotton's side host mid-table Ebbsfleet United on Saturday, before having a free weekend at the end of September."I'm absolutely convinced our away form will change, the away results will change," Wotton told BBC Radio Devon."Compared to our first four games away from home last season, we've done some data on the first four games away from home this year. Our shots on target are much higher, our crosses, our final entries are much higher. Our expected goals are much higher. It will change."Away from home, ultimately, I feel it comes down to a player."Some players enjoy playing away from home, some don't. Some can do it, some can't, and I'm learning that about the squad." Source link

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Ceremony marks new £22m diagnostics centre in Plymouth

Ceremony marks new £22m diagnostics centre in Plymouth

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS TrustThe facility will open in summer 2026A ceremony has been held to mark the structural completion of a £22m diagnostic centre in Plymouth.University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust said the Plymouth Community Diagnostic Centre at Colin Campbell Court would provide a range of diagnostic tests, scans, and checks including CT and MRI scans, X-rays and ultrasounds.It said the centre, due to open in summer 2026, would help patients receive faster diagnoses closer to home and reduce waiting times.Libby Ryan-Davies, NHS Devon ICB chief strategic commissioning and planning officer, said the centre marked a "significant step forward" for diagnostics in Devon.The event marked the building reaching its highest pointThe trust said the "topping out" ceremony was held on Wednesday and marked the building reaching its highest point.It said development staff and representatives were joined by colleagues from construction partner BAM, commissioning body NHS England, local MPs and Plymouth city councillors to mark the occasion.Nicki Collas, deputy director of the future hospital programme at the trust, said the "much needed facility" would "improve health outcomes for the community". "It will also support the regeneration of Colin Campbell Court and pave the way for further health developments in the future," she…

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Carlos Mendes Gomes: Exeter City’s Bolton loanee out for for up to three months

Exeter City forward Carlos Mendes Gomes is likely to be out until Christmas with an abductor muscle injury.The 26-year-old has made just one appearance since joining the club on a deadline day loan from Bolton Wanderers - as an 80th-minute substitute in the 1-0 loss at Rotherham United 12 days ago. Mendes Gomes will have surgery on Monday on the injury which could rule him out for up to three months."It's a really big blow as he's a very talented player that showed signs of it in his first game," Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell said. Source link

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Caleb Watts: Plymouth Argyle midfielder ruled out until new year

Watts is the third Plymouth Argyle player to be ruled out with a long-term injury this season - winger Xavier Amaechi is out with a similar injury to Watts, while defender Julio Pleguezuelo has undergone knee surgery. Defender Jack Mackenzie is still out with a problem picked up in pre-season while goalkeeper Conor Hazard is returning from a knee problem sustained while on international duty in June. Jamie Paterson and Kornel Szucs are also currently sidelined with injuries.Cleverley says he and the club are undertaking a review into the volume of injuries players have suffered this season. It is the second successive season the Pilgrims have suffered major issues early in the campaign, with former boss Wayne Rooney saying he would undertake a similar review last November."We've done a large bulk of it now to try and come to the reasons why."I think those things should be kept in-house and all we can look to do is rehab those guys the best we can and, really importantly, make sure that we set out the right measures so that our injury record improves and we prevent any further injuries."We're doing everything we can, the players also need to make sure that they're…

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