Devon father jailed for shaking crying baby to death

May 14, 2014, 4:18 am

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A father has been jailed after he killed his crying baby by throwing him into his cot so violently he suffered massive head injuries. Supermarket worker Matthew Wickens lost his temper with his five-week-old son Rylee Gardener when he was left in sole charge of the baby while his partner went out shopping. He was frustrated by the responsibility of parenthood and felt becoming a father had robbed him of his freedom and ruined his dreams of joining the army. He tried to cover up his fatal attack by putting a hat on the dying child to cover up the head injury and telling his partner Rylee was asleep in his cot. He did not raise the alarm or try to get help and the child's horrified mother found the baby cold and lifeless when she went to check on him after getting home. Wickens, aged 24, continued lying about what he had done for 15 months with the result that the wholly innocent mother Gemma Gardener came under suspicion and had her older son taken into care for a short time. Asda worker Wickens, of Waltham Road, Newton Abbot, admitted manslaughter and was jailed for six years and five months by Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, at Exeter Crown Court. The judge told him:"You did not explain what you had done for months and months. That is understandable because you are relatively young and done something which meant you wished you could turn the clock back and find it was all a bad dream. "Instead you gave an explanation of dropping the child accidentally. I accept you did not intend to cause the child really serious harm and you have been unable until recently to face the reality of what you did. "You will carry this very heavy burden for the rest of your life, to the effect that you have killed your own child. The fact you did not accept responsibility earlier counts very strongly against you. "There are aggravating features which come from that. First, you concealed what you had done and did not call the emergency services. "Second, this meant your partner Gemma discovered the baby. It was an ordeal which you could have saved her from. "Third, she fell under suspicion and had to go through the ordeal of family court proceedings in respect of her older child." Mr Simon Laws, QC, prosecuting, said Wickens was left in sole charge of Rylee on the afternoon of November 25, 2012, and caused serious and unsurvivable head injuries by shaking the child and throwing him in his cot. When Gemma returned home he pretended the baby was safe and asleep and it was only when she became concerned about how long Rylee had been silent that she found him lifeless and cold. She fetched her father Christopher Gardener, who ran a shop opposite the flat in Winner Street, Paignton, who is a trained first aider and who rushed over and tried to resuscitate Rylee without success. Wickens told paramedics he thought the child may have choked on vomit but once at hospital doctors found bruising on the head which had been concealed by a hat he had put on the baby. Post mortem examinations showed a combination of internal bleeding inside the head and eyes which is associated with non accidental shaking injuries. Wickens finally gave an account of the killing in which he said:"Rylee would not stop crying. I lost my self control and shook him and flung him face down into his cot." Mr Laws said Wickens later told a psychologist how he felt the birth of his son had robbed him of his freedom. He said:"Wickens said he felt like his life was over and he was a father all the time while his mates were off doing different things and experiencing stuff. He felt his career had gone and Gemma would not let him join the army." The mother Gemma Gardener and her family sobbed in the public gallery as Mr Laws told how she had made a victim impact statement about the loss of Rylee. He said:"She spoke movingly about the fact she has to live with the moment she discovered him and more than anything how she feels the loss of her son." Mr Paul Dunkels, QC, defending, said Wickens was immature for his age but had done his best to be a good and supportive father who had got up five times a night to change or feed the child. He said his loss of temper may have been caused in part by the lack of sleep and fatigue caused by combining the duties of parenthood with a full time job.

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BMX racing: Sophie May Harris recovers from crash tp perform will for Exeter Eagles

May 14, 2014, 4:21 am

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Sophie May Harris recovered from a nasty crash in her first race to produce at superb performance in Exeter Eagles' round five South West Regional event in Cornwall. Harris went on to claim victory in all of her remaining girls' 7-8 races, while teammate Mia Farrow took two wins and a second place in the girls' 9-10 category. The novice racing also saw Ryan Ewing scoop two firsts and two seconds in the 10-12 category, while Loe Harding – in just his second meet – bounced back well from a couple of crashes. In the 13-15 class, Bailey Taylor overcame some older riders to take the win, and Heidi Harris, Lowen Jemison and Jack Nixson all performed well in the six-and-under bracket, as did Josh Upfield in the 7-9 category. At regional elite level, Oliver Fay came second with a committed ride, while James Herbert came sixth in the 15-year-olds class in the expert racing. Ash Coombs took second in all of his races in the six-and-under class, while Tuscan Jemison was happy with a second in the B final. Tyler Coombs took strong second places in two finals, while Cameron Foster was third in the motos final. In the 13-year-old class, Luke upfield won all of his motos, only to crash out in the final. Oli Foster came third and Fin Baker sixth.

Dominic Tuckett gets call up to Devon Middleton Cup quad

May 14, 2014, 4:23 am

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Dominic Tuckett has been called up to the Devon Middleton Cup squad to face Cornwall in two weeks' time. The Devon under-25 champion joins Culm Vale teammates Kevin Newcombe, Simon Brown and reserve player Daniel Rice in the squad for the game at St Austell. David Tucker and co-selectors Tony Broom and Alan Horwell have made few changes to the team that were runners-up to Berkshire at Worthing 12 months ago. They have been able to call upon the services of former Commonwealth Games medallist Ian Bond, from Crediton, after a few years absence. Devon: Davies (Shaldon), Newcombe (Culm Vale), Whitlock (Shaldon), Paxton (Exonia); Lucas (Shaldon), James (Bideford), Bond (Crediton), Chestney (Kings); Hackett (Kings), Bonetta (Bideford), L Haywood (Shaldon), Sanders (Kings); Tuckett (Culm Vale), Evans, Lesley, Webber (all Shaldon); Hampton (Exonia), Bass (Kings), S Haywood, Phillips (both Shaldon); Melmore (Kings), Broom (Culm Vale), Coombes (Bitton Park), Tolchard (Kings). Reserves: Goodwin (Kings), Popham (Bideford), Turner (Rock Park), Howland (Topsham), Rice (Culm Vale) Devon ladies begin their defence of the John's Trophy inter-county title at the weekend when they play a practice match against Dorset. Devon: Roberts, Fish, Dawson, Parnell; Lock, Healy, Scott, Evans; Callaghan, Davis, Thomas, Barnes; Lenton, James, Howle, Hackett; Stone, Bywaters/Quayle, Woollacott, Martin; Chudley, Hemmings-Anthony, Stevens, Smerdon

South West unemployment sees largest drop in the UK after falling by 41,000

May 14, 2014, 4:33 am

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South West unemployment has seen the largest drop in the UK after falling by 41,000. Some 136,000 people were out of work in the six county-wide region, representing a fall of 1.6% in the quarter to March – the biggest drop of nine English regions and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The jobless total was also down on the same time last year, with 31,000 fewer people looking for work, a reduction of 1.2%. Unemployment across the region now stands at 4.9% – lower than any UK region and national average of 6.8%. By contrast, the figure stands at 10.1% in the North East.

Athletics round-up: Fourth-placed finishes for Exeter Harriers' men's and women's teams

May 14, 2014, 4:39 am

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EXETER HARRIERS Exeter Harriers' men's and women's teams both finished fourth in their opening league matches of the season in a joint meeting held at Bedford. The men were competing in British Athletics League Division Three and Lewis Burgess produced an outstanding performance in the long jump, improving his personal best by five centimetres to 6.63m. Matt Smith produced the goods in the final round of the javelin with a throw of 64.55m to win and Sam Peters again showed his consistency over 400m by winning by the narrowest of margins, in 49.71secs.Results, British Athletics League Division 3, 100m A string: 4 Sam Peters 11.02.B string: 4 Owen Styler 11.36.110m hurdles A string: 2 Nathan Higgins 14.84.B string: 5 Matt Parsley 18.30.200m A string: 3 Tyler Johnson 22.70.B string: 4 Owen Styler 23.16.400m A string: 1 Sam Peters 49.71.B string: 5 Dan Petty 51.40.400m hurdles A string: 4 Matt Parsley 58.20.800m A string: 4 Sam Petty 1.57.00. B string: 3 Matt Dowell 2.00.27. 1,500m A string: 3 Josh Trigwell 4.07.60.B string: 3 Jack Bancroft 4.13.79.3,000m A string: 6 James Denne 9.12.12.B string: 4 Gwylym Gibson 9.17.97.High jump A string: 3 Ashley Barker 1.85.B string: 3 Todd Allen 1.75.Long jump A string: 1 Lewis Burges 6.63.B string: 2 Josh Tunstall 6.17.Triple jump A string: 3 Josh Tunstall 12.98.B string: 3 Matt Parsley 11.88.Pole vault A string: 6 Josh Tunstall 1.50.B string: 5 Matt Parsley 1.50.Discus A string: 3 Dave Dawson 40.59.B string: 4 Matt Smith 33.16.Hammer A string: 7 Dave Dawson 37.40.B string: 7 Matt Parsley 7.10.Javelin A string: 1 Matt Smith 64.55.B string: 6 Dave Dawson 29.90.Shot putt A string: 5 Dave Dawson 12.91.B string: 8 Matt Smith 10.15. Match result: 1 Bedford & County 342pts, 2 Crawley 316, 3 Nene Valley Harriers 296.5, 4 Exeter Harriers 286.5, 5 Swansea Harriers 284.5, 6 Trafford 256, 7 Mansfield Harriers 239, 8 Reading 120.5 The women's team, who were in action in UK Women's League Division Three, saw Rosie Chamberlain, Miranda Hardacre and Meghan Whittaker make their debuts. Chamberlain was the star for the team as she stormed to victories in both the 800m (2.16.66) and 400m (58.10secs). Other wins saw Rebecca Chapman finish first in the long jump with 5.82m and Sara Geary was victorious in the B-string high jump with 1.45m. Beth Skinner set personal bests as she finished second in the javelin in 28.07m and sixth in the high jump in 1.50m. Results, British Athletics League Division 3, 100m A string: 4 Rebecca Chapman 12.58.B string: 4 Rebecca Jones 13.28.100m hurdles A string: 5 Rebecca Chapman 17.37.B string: 2 Rebecca Jones 18.40.200m A string: 6 Rebecca Jones 27.10. 400m A string: 3 Miranda Hardacre 59.58.800m A string: 1 Rosie Chamberlain 2.16.66. B string: 3 Katherine Humphreys 2.35.92. 1,500m A string: 4 Anna Rust 5.33.71.2,000m steeplechase A string: 5 Anna Rust 12.56.86.3,000m A string: 4 Katherine Humphreys 11.24.50. B string: 3 Anna Rust 11.39.3.High jump A string: 6 Beth Skinner 1.50.B string: 1= Sara Geary 1.45.Long jump A string: 1 Rebecca Chapman 5.82.B string: 2 Sara Geary 5.27.Triple jump A string: 6 Beth Skinner 9.50.B string: 3 Katherine Humphreys 8.53.Pole vault A string: 6 Josh Tunstall 1.50.B string: 5 Matt Parsley 1.50.Discus A string: 5 Meghan Whittaker 19.55.B string: 5 Lucy Smith 13.32.Hammer A string: 72 Maria Brett 42.41.B string: 5 Lucy Smith 19.75.Javelin A string: 4 Lucy Smith 33.19.B string: 2 Beth Skinner 28.07.Shot putt A string: 3 Meghan Whittaker 9.30.B string: 3 Sara geary 9.16.4x100m relay: 4 Exeter Harriers 53.41.4x400m relay: 3 Exeter Harriers 4.12.20 Match result: 1 Bedford 218pts, 2 Harrow 211.5, 3 Liverpool 188, 4 Exeter Harriers 184, 5 Herts Phoenix 172, 6 Belgrave 155.5, 7 Leeds 143 There was disappointment for both Rebecca Chapman and Steve Turnock in the British Universities Championships despite medal-winning performances. Turnock picked up bronze in the javelin, with a throw of 63.99m. However the day before, having thrown 67m in the qualifying rounds, he aggravated a shoulder and elbow injury. "One night's rest wasn't enough to produce something special in the final," said Turnock. "But I'm very pleased with the bronze medal and hopefully it is a sign that, once I'm over these injuries, there is big stuff waiting." Chapman also picked up a bronze medal in the long jump with a 5.91m leap. However, having produced a consistently good take-off position, she was slightly frustrated by her final result. "I had six legal jumps off the board in the final, but just didn't do anything off any of them so didn't quite achieve what I know I'm capable of," she said. Chapman also finished fourth in her 100m semi-final in 12.44secs, and in running the opening leg helped her team to silver in the 4x100m relay. Lucy Smith was 10th in the final of the javelin, with a throw of 34.83m, and Laurie Dugdale was 11th in the final of the 2,000m steeplechase in 8.19.67. The under-13 girls team stormed to victory at the SW League Division One match in Yeovil. There were individual wins for Lynn Robertson in the 100m (14.2secs), Isobel Pinsky in the 70m hurdles (12.30secs) and Amy-Beth Curtis in the javelin (PB of 25.63m). Elsewhere in the competition, Olive Berry won the senior women's 2,000m steeplechase (6.21.6), Dominic Allen won the under-17 boys' javelin (56.62), Anna-Rose Gabbitas won the under-15 girls' 300m (45.2secs) and Theodore Jackson Clist claimed the under-15 boys' 100m (PB of 13.9secs)Results, SW League Division 1, senior women, 1,500m: 2 Olive Berry 4.20.3. 2,000m steeplechase: 1 Olive Berry 6.21.6 Under-17 boys, 400m: 3 Michael Thornton 55.1.Javelin: 1 Dominic Allen 56.62 Under-17 girls, 1,500m steeplechse: 3 Phoebe Killen 6.23.2, Under-15 boys, 100m: 1 Theodore Jackson Clist 13.9.75m hurdles: 2 Craig Moncur 15.00.1,500m: 3 Lee Dart 5.15.00.Long jump: 2 Theodore Jackson Clist 4.19.High jump: 3 Theodore Jackson Clist 1.30.Shot putt: 2 Josh Tyler 7.09.Javelin: 2 Josh Tyler 24.41.Discus: 3 Danny Martin 30.03.Hammer: 3 Jed Dove 19.53 Under-15 girls, 200m: 2 Anna-Rose Gabbitas 27.8.300m: 1 Anna-Rose Gabbitas 45.2 Under-13 girls, 100m: 1 Lynn Robertson 14.2.200m: 3 Lynn Robertson 29.30secs.70m hurdles: 1 Isobel Pinsky 12.30, 2 Lynn Robertson 13.00.1,500m: 3 Eleanor Brandon 5.33.30.Javelin: 1 Amy-Beth Curtis 25.63m.Shot putt: 2 Amy-Beth Curtis 7.56.High jump: 3 India Leetham 1.30m.Long jump: 3 India Leetham 3.63 Rosie Chamberlain finished second in the 800m A race at the BMC Graded Classic at Millfield in 2.11.77. Matthew Dowell was 12th in the men's A 1,500 in a new PB of 4.10.06, with Owen Coldwell seventh in the C 1,500m also with a PB of 4.39.44. Josh Trigwell was eighth in the A 3,000 in 8.46.00.SOUTH WEST ROAD RUNNERS South West Road Runners were out in force last weekend in races across the county and beyond. Eleven members of the Exeter-based club competed in the Ivybridge 10k on Saturday, with Mike Feighan leading them home in 13th place in 37.13. Alex Cutts was 52nd overall and first female over-35 in 41.06, with Karen Cook first female over-55 and 98th overall in 43.19. Other SWRR finishers were: Jim Durston 108th in 43.47, Lewis Jones 131st in 44.32, Kathryn Hough 195th in 47.32, Julie Hedges 211th in 47.57, Pete Williams 242nd in 48.59, Paul Madge 272nd in 49.52, Jo Robertson 296th in 50.47 and Lawrence Atherton 338th in 52.22 Four more club members raced in the Bideford 10k on Sunday, with Mark Payne the first across the line in 27th place in 39.27. Mark Rice finished 39th in 40.47, Dave Moulder was 55th in 42.18 and Jon Wilkinson 393rd in 57.02. Also on Sunday, Paul Thomas was fourth in the Beer Blazer in 48.04 and Amy Van der Heide came home 103rd in 1:14.57. Michael Lesniak set a new personal best of 35.49 at the Bristol 10k. Last Tuesday, 15 SWRRs took part in the second round of the Run Exe Summer 5k Series. Stephen Buckley came home fifth in 16.40, with Feighan 10th in 17.38 and Alister Ferguson 28th in 19.26. Other SWRR finishers were: Jonathon Major 34th in PB of 19.23, Dave Phillips 41st in 20.11, Jim Durston 42nd in PB of 20.14, Dave Moulder 44th in 20.16, Steve Rosser 45th in 20.19, Karen Cook 46th in 20.20, Nick Potbury 56th in 20.47, James Robson 64th in 21.29, Richard Stone 67th in 22.07, Clare Suss 74th 23.27, Cieren Brennen 78th in 24.09 and Michelle Pang 87th in PB of 25.54 EXMOUTH HARRIERS Four teams from Exmouth Harriers took part in a 24-hour charity endurance relay in Plymouth. The event, which was raising money for Hope for Children, saw competitors complete a five-mile loop of Newnham Park from 12pm on Saturday to 12pm on Sunday. Hannah Bown, Pete Fletcher, Hugh Marsden, Adam Miller and Mike Musgrove won the event as they completed 38 laps, 190 miles, of the course. In fourth place, was an Exmouth team of eight made up of Chris Dupain, Rebecca Fagg, Jon Garrity, Sarah Jackman, Cathy Newman, Richard Pyle, Ellie Sutcliffe and Emma White. Between them this team completed 34 laps and 170 miles. In sixth place was the club's second team of five who completed 31 laps. The team members were Lisa Hatchard, Scott Jordan, Bob Keast, Terry Oldham and Ben White. Another team of eight chalked up 28 laps to finish 13th. This consisted of Nigel Dupain, Lorraine Gilson, Joan and Stan Mason, Alison Milborrow, Carly Miller, Dawn Teed and Amy Tew. Two Exmouth Harriers completed 10k races at opposite ends of the county at the weekend. On Saturday evening Andrew Johnson ran the Ivybridge 10k and was 91st in 43.14. The following morning, Dave Eveleigh was 142nd at the Bideford 10k in 46.41. Five Harriers took part in the second round of the Run Exe Summer 5k Series last Tuesday, with Peter Fletcher finishing 13th in 17.49. Chris Dupain was 17th in 18.36, Richard Hawes 24th overall and third male over-45 in 19.13, Andrew Johnson was 48th and Dave Eveleigh was 65th in 21.45.HALDON TRAIL RUNNERS Eight Haldon Trail Runners took part in a 24-hour race as a relay team at the weekend and finished second overall. They were part of the Hope24 event in Newnham Park, Plympton, and completed 35 laps of an off-road 4.6-mile route between midday on Saturday and midday on Sunday. Hayley Stokes, Helen Lynch, Anthea Whitaker, Ian Lynch, Mike Aylmore, Nick Warren, Matt Richards and Alex Watkins did more laps than any other team of eight. On Saturday evening three club members raced in the Ivybridge 10k. Angus Menter finished fourth overall and won the male over-40 category in 35.06, with Jan Dolezel 24th in 38.42 and Ben Epps 140th in 44.53. Last Tuesday saw seven HTRs compete in the second round of the Run Exe Summer 5k Series. Menter again led the club home as the first male over-40 and sixth overall in 16.43, with Watkins ninth in 16.58, Dolezel 15th in 18.01, Tom Bates 16th in 18.27, Ian Lynch 31st in 19.35, Charlotte Weedon 55th in 20.41 and Jim Mouat first male over-65 and 84th overall in 25.08. Jim Mouat was also one of three club members to take part in the parkrun 5k at Parke the previous weekend, finishing 48th overall and first male over-65 in 27.47, with Patrick Mouat 19th in 23.59 and Anna Caunter 41st in 27.11. Also that weekend, Jacky Francis ran the Hartland Heartbreaker and finished 115th in 3:50.34.AXE VALLEY RUNNERS Axe Valley Runners' Tim Lenton won the Beer Blazer 10k on Sunday finishing in a time of 43.35. This saw him finish over a minute ahead of John Nolan, with Steve Millward third in 45.05. Amy Greenhalgh cruised to victory in the ladies event, with a sixth-placed finish overall in 49.46. Other AVR finishers were: 5 Alex Todd 49.04, 20 Ethan Day 55.52, 21 Jon Day 55.55, 27 Ian Apps 56.39, 33 Eleanor Wood 57.30, 37 Carol Austin 59.26, 44 Steven Lewis 1:00.42, 48 Hanna Bramley 1:02.16, 50 Alan Morbey 1:03.48, 53 Cameron Hill 1:04.07, 54 Dave Mutter 1:04.39, 55 Steven Maclure 1:04.42, 57 Margaret Pearce 1:04.55, 58 Dan Ayling 1:04.56, 64 Richard Hale 1:05.30, 75 Andrew Sayers 1:07.27, 78 Anna McLoughlin 1:07.55, 79 Chris Hill 1:08.00, 85 Mark Harding-Perrott 1:09.41, 90 Rebecca Lippett 1:11.45, 100 Tracey Anning-Beckett 1:13.38, 108 Angela Kerr 1:15.13, 121 Crista Bramley 1:22.29, 123 Martin Kerr 1:22.46 and 126 Kirstin Harwood 1:25.42 There was a record 43 finishers in the 5k won by Rory Morgan, from Beer, representing Sidmouth College. He finished in 24.27 to beat AVR's Ollie Caute, 24.33, into first place. Honiton's Iain Ross was third in 25.12. AVR's Mia Bartlett was the first female home, 10th overall, in 27.57. Florence Swann, from Honiton Running Club, was second, 11th overall, in 29.06, and Beer's Lizzie Trewick was third, 17th overall, in 33.57. Ben Franklin had a fine run finishing fourth in 26.43. Stephen Morbey finished 12th, in 29.06, Matt Thurgood 14th in 30.35, James Trewick, running with his sister Lizzie, was 18th in 33.57 and Emma Lewis was 25th in 37.31. Holly Bigger was the first girl home at the one-mile junior fun run, with Imogen Waterhouse second and Hatty Tremlett third. Cameron Bryson was the boys' winner followed by Harry Gird and Ethan Gribble. Graham and Diane Newton and Julie Rowe competed in the Bideford 10k. Graham came in 60th and set a new personal best in 42.42 to win the male over-65 male section. Diane was the second female over-60 in 1:05.31. Rowe finished 253rd in 51.33. Emma Kiernan completed the Bristol 10k in 43.29.

Exeter Sailing Club's Sam Matson flies the flag for Britain in Solo Concarneau race

May 14, 2014, 4:44 am

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Exeter Sailing Club member and Artemis Academy rookie Sam Matson recorded an excellent 11th-placed finish in the Solo Concarneau race. He crossed the finish line at 3.29pm on Saturday and was the second rookie home and first British competitor. After an unfortunate end to his first race of the season in March, Matson was out to prove himself in the Solo Concarneau in the hope of earning his place on the Solitaire du Figaro start line this June. Ben Cornish, from Budleigh, who is sailing his first season in the finn class was also competing in the Finn European Championship in La Rochelle. After three days he was lying 24th out of 101 entrants, which was very creditable sailing. After five days he finished 30th, having suffered some gear failure. The May bank holiday weekend saw two sets of dinghy races take place. Bob and Colette Horlock won both trio races, with Guy Farrant and Marilyn Booker finishing second on both occasions. For the handicap fleet, Les Arscott won both and Rob Jones in his blaze took both seconds, while Nick Pearce trailed as he still gets the hang of his RS100. Iain Horlock took the honours in Monday's King Cup, with Chris Rhodes close behind.

Angling: Larazus lands two heavy common carps at Creedy Lakes

May 14, 2014, 4:50 am

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CREEDY LAKES Exeter angler Adrian Lazarus tempted out two fish, both double-figure commons, from the left hand bank. Exeter's Mark Downing recorded a six-fish bag, with five common carps up to 20lbs 10oz. Tiverton angler Brian Earl banked four fish, one tench together with three double-figure commons. Mark Saul-Hunt, also from Tiverton, tempted out four double-figure commons from the swim up past the boathouse up to 18lbs in weight. Exeter angler Steve Holdsworth hooked three commons to 16lbs, while Ben Weston landed five double-figure commons. Tiverton angler Martin Varnham fished the right-hand bank and landed 10 fish in his session. Nine of these were double-figure commons and a plump 4lbs 8oz green tench. Newton Abbot's Colin Hurricks had four fish, two commons to 14lbs, a 4lbs 3oz green tench and a single figure mirror of 7lbs. At the top lake best bag went to Rhys Bowden, with 11 fish. His best fish on that session scaled 18lbs. Newton Abbot's Lee Aggett, with his girlfriend Becca Foxworthy also caught a brace of commons.SOUTHVIEW FARM John Norman took 11 carp up to 12lbs at willow pool on legered sweetcorn or pellet as the recent brisk sport continues. There have been catches in excess of a dozen fish for many anglers per session, with roach and perch to over the 1lb-mark. Stephen Hird took 13 carp to 9lbs on legered sweetcorn and Mark Symonds also did well, bagging eight carp to 11lbs on method feeder.

Rolling Stone Ronnie shows artwork in new Exeter house

May 14, 2014, 4:52 am

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Rolling Stones veteran Ronnie Wood is showing off his artwork at a house in Exeter. Ronnie's work is part of a temporary art gallery at the new City Glade housing devlopment off Topsham Road. Linden Homes has teamed up with the city's Castle Galleries to for the show which will also feature by Paul Kenton, Hamish Blakely and Caroline Shotton. Their the art will be on display in one of the view homes from Thursday May 22 until Monday, May 26, between 10am and 5pm. Selina Cassidy from Castle Galleries at Cathedral Green said: " The new homes are a perfect blank canvas for the art and it creates a fantastic gallery. We're really looking forward to the five day event."

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Exeter Golf & Country Club win nine-and-under mixed division two title

May 14, 2014, 4:55 am

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Exeter Golf & County Club triumphed over Exeter B and Exmouth B to win the nine-and-under mixed division two title. The golf club team of Noah Kerley, Billy Turl, George Guy and Sam Wilton-Davies began the competition with a 10-2 victory over Exeter B and they secured the title with an 8-4 win over Exmouth B. With the tie level at 4-4 heading into the vital doubles matches, Kerley and Turl beat Nathaniel Cross and Sam Reay to put them ahead, before Guy and Wilton-Davies secured the win with a 7-1, 7-2 win over Alex James and Henry Sims. Exeter B secured second-place though with a 10-2 victory over Exmouth B. Antione Rannou put them ahead as he edged out a classic match 10-12, 7-3, 8-6 against Cross, before Peter Denning came from a set down to beat Reay 2-7, 7-2, 7-3. Rannou and Denning then teamed up to secure the win with a 7-3, 7-3 doubles win. Exmouth A took the eight-and-under title after beating Tarka 20-12 in their play-off final on Sunday. The team of Nathaniel Cross, Connor McCann, Jessica Johnson and Ryan McCann beat the Tarka team that overcome Braunton, Ilfracombe and Westward Ho! in the north group to qualify for the final. Oscar Davey gave Tarka the lead as he beat Cross 10-5 in the opening rubber, but that was the only time that Tarka had the lead in the tie. Exmouth battled back to lead 6-2 after the first round of matches and then 10-6, after the second set of rubbers, and 14-10 going into the final round. With Exmouth still needing to win two matches to secure the title, Cross got them to match-point with his 10-3 victory. Then Connor McMann secured the win with a 10-2 victory. Johnson then added further gloss to the triumph as she edged the closest match of the weekend 13-11. Sidmouth's 14-and-under boys were edged out in a match tiebreak by Torquay as they began their Division One Group B campaign. They got off to a good start as both Oliver Truman and Louis Spalding came from a set down to put Sidmouth in an early lead. Torquay levelled the match at 2-2, but Truman and Spalding combined to edge a close match 6-7, 7-5, 1-0 to put Sidmouth on the brink of victory. Torquay fought back again though, winning the other doubles match 6-3, 6-3 to keep their hopes alive. This meant that a tiebreak was needed to decide the winner and this went the way of the visiting Torquay side. Having lost to the Exeter Golf and Country Club in their first match, David Lloyd needed a win to keep alive their hopes of winning the 12-and-under boys' division. They did this by edging out Exwick 7-6 in a deciding match tiebreak. Scott Coombs gave David Lloyd an early lead as he beat Ethan Murray. James Fitzpatrick levelled up the scores for Exwick with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Jacob Rowe. Ryan Daffin then once again put David Lloyd ahead with a comfortable 6-0, 6-2 win over Edward Sowden. However, Exwick fought back with Sebbie Burrows securing a 6-4, 6-4 win over Matthew Hicks. With it all to play for in the doubles, Coombs and Rowe beat Murray and Fitzpatrick 6-4, 6-1, but Burrows and Sowden levelled the scores against with a tight 6-4, 5-7, 1-0 win over Daffin and Hicks. David Lloyd finally secured the win with a 10-8 win in the match tiebreak.

Willcox wins his 12th men's singles title at the National Deaf Championships

May 14, 2014, 4:57 am

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Peter Willcox won a 12th men's singles title at the National Deaf Championships at Welwyn Garden City. Great Britain international Willcox, from Rackenford, has dominated Deaf tennis since his first singles success in 1999. "I really am delighted with my success after all the hard work put in into training," said Willocox. "I'm grateful for all the support from family and friends and from the Tennis Foundation who have provided us with a fantastic set-up." Meanwhile at the County Closed competition at Torquay Seaton's current British 18-and-under No. 3 Emma Hurst was beaten in the ladies' final for the third year running. She lost to champion Kendal Brown, who made it seven titles in a row after her victory 6-4, 7-5. Topsham's Richard Jackson beat Andy Koval 6-3, 6-3 in the over-40 singles fina,l but Jackson and Nick Bond, from Exeter, went down in the doubles final to Robert and Peter Elver, from Dawlish 6-4, 6-3. There was consolation for Andrew North in the final of the men's doubles where he partnered Andrew Higham, of Exeter University, to the title with their defeat of Flatters and Rikki Foster 7-5, 6-4. He then picked up his second title of a long day after he and Kate Brown, from Exeter, teamed up. They beat Kendal Brown and Buzzy Avis 4-6, 6-2, 15-13 in the mixed doubles.

Wonford Community leaders hit out at "out-dated" report listing area as one of the worst places to live

May 15, 2014, 4:32 am

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Community leaders in Wonford have hit out at reports of an "out-dated" website that slammed the "rough neighbourhood" of Burnthouse Lane. The reviews, on the website www.ilivehere.co.uk, have been written by ordinary people of towns in England, are not balanced and at times offensive but have attracted attention across the country over the last few days. On the site Exeter is criticised for what the author described as a 'chavish' outskirts. But local councillors said the comments have caused a lot of anguish for people who live in the areas concerned and have responded to give a "true account" of what living there is like. The website report says: "The hell mouth of chavish degeneration in Exeter opened up in Burnt House Lane many years ago. "This rough neighbourhood sprawls through the eastern part of the city, were OAPs fear to walk in the evening. You see, their screams for help would be drowned out by stupidly loud and obscene hip-hop music and the odd gunshot. "However, the degeneration doesn't cease in Burnt House Lane: the Council stupidly relocated trouble chav families from Burnt House Lane (also known as 'Laners') to previously pleasant areas of the city, hoping that 'The Lane' would become a safer place to live." Wonford councillor for Exeter City Council Lesley Robson said: "This report has been causing a lot of trouble in the area and I have been stopped several times by people complaining. "I am very concerned. I have never heard of any gun shots in the area. "It is not an up-to-date view of the area and is giving a very false impression of what the area is really like. It is very upsetting for people considering all the work that has been done to improve the area. "People are horrified. The report seems 25 years out of date. "It is a peaceful, quiet area. Yes there are problems but people who live here are very proud of this area. There are lots of young families, the school has just received a first class Ofsted report and the idea that it is the 'wild west' is not an accurate representation of the area. "Some people outside the area may think that but it is very much an out-dated reputation."

Struggling chef became secret cannabis grower to save Tiverton restaurant

May 15, 2014, 4:45 am

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A chef who tried to save his struggling restaurant by starting a cannabis farm was caught when a bailiff found his secret growing room. Brian McCurry hoped to make £10,000 to keep his creditors at bay but a sharp eyed bailiff tracked down his hidden assets when he realised that the rooms inside the restaurant did not conform to the floor plan. He found a hidden door concealed behind a curtain and when he looked through the keyhole he could see the bright lights which McCurry was using to speed up the growth of his 22 cannabis plants. The 35-year-old Irishman from Mid Devon was spared jail after telling a Judge:"It was stupid but I was desperate." McCurry, of New Street, Cullompton, admitted production of cannabis at The Cellar Restaurant in Fore Street, Tiverton, and was jailed for 16 months, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay £440 costs at Exeter Crown Court. Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, said:"You were hoping to make £10,000 to pay your rent arrears. You played a significant role and were motivated by financial advantage. "I am willing to suspend this sentence because you have not been in trouble for 15 years or so." Mr Gordon Richings, prosecuting, said bailiff Darren Evans was sent into the restaurant on January 17 this year by the landlord because of unpaid rent and became suspicious. He said:"The locks were changed and when he began to make an inventory of the furniture he noticed the floor plan did not correspond to the floor area of the restaurant. "He searched around and found a curtain against a wall. He drew it aside and found a makeshift door which did not look as if it had been made professionally. "He saw a very bright light coming through the keyhole and when he looked inside he immediately smelled a strong scent of cannabis. "He saw lights and plants and knew this was suspicious. He formed the opinion cannabis was being grown in the hidden room because he said he had seen similar things on the television. "The police were called and found 22 plants in various stages of growth in the sealed-off room along with lights, ventilation equipment and other paraphernalia. "There were estimates by the police of the potential yield which varied from 616 to 1,848 grams." McCurry was not represented but told the Judge he had only just started the cannabis growing operation. He said:"It was my first time doing it. I'm very sorry for what I did. It was stupid but I was desperate. It will never happen again."

Flybe route cuts 'could see more people holidaying in Devon'

May 15, 2014, 4:47 am

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Flybe's decision to axe flights from Exeter Airport to sunny destinations such as Palma, Malaga and Alicante in Spain has led to predictions of a boon for Devon tourism. Details of routes being discontinued emerged as new flights between Exeter and London City Airport were announced last month. Independent UK cottage agency holidaycottages.co.uk has reported a 44 per cent increase in use of the search term 'Devon holidays' in the last week, suggesting holidaymakers are looking to stay closer to home for their summer break this year instead of taking longer flights abroad. Managing director James Morris said: "After seeing the loss of the international flights from Exeter and the positive introduction of the London flight, we are expecting great things from this year's summer season. We've been letting properties in the South West for over 35 years now and we're delighted that UK residents are realising the potential of taking a holiday in the area."

Exeter road blocked after car becomes stuck under railway bridge

May 15, 2014, 4:51 am

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A road in Exeter was closed this afternoon after a car became stuck under a railway bridge. Police were called to the scene on Langaton Road, Pinhoe just after 12pm today. The vehicle became stuck under the bridge after a single collision. The road was cleared by 12:50pm and no one was injured in the incident.

Prince Harry falls in love with Devon pub while on stag weekend

May 15, 2014, 5:17 am

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A Devon town enjoyed a royal visit over the weekend when Prince Harry spent the few days at a stag party in Brixham – and even offered to buy a picturesque pub. The younger royal and a crowd of 14 friends spent the entire evening last Friday playing darts and drinking at Brixham's famous Maritime Inn. And on Sunday lunchtime, the Prince of Wales' younger son was spotted sitting outside the Cricket Inn at Beesands. Pat Seddon, landlady of the Maritime Inn, overlooking the harbour in the appropriately-named King Street, said: "It was lovely to see them. Mrs Seddon, 75, said that when the Prince and his pals told her how much they liked her pub, she quipped he could snap it up it for just £6,500. She said: 'Somebody from his group called out, "what a lovely pub," so I said "you can have it if you want". 'Then Prince Harry said, "how much" and I jokingly said "six and a half thousand" and he said, "oh I've got that in my pocket". She said that Harry had visited the pub, which also features hundreds of decorative jugs hanging from the beams of the ceiling in is located in the town's aptly-named King Street, with a group of around 14 friends on Friday evening. Mrs Seddon said that her royal visitor had been sporting a cap to cover his famous red hair, but she had immediately spotted who he was. 'It was lovely to see them,' she said. 'Prince Harry was wearing a cap and combat jacket. He was lovely.' The group spent their night playing darts and drinking - and despite celebrating their friend's 'last weekend of freedom' had behaved impeccably. She added: 'They stayed all evening and they were very well-behaved. 'One or two of the locals recognised them, but they left them alone. 'The regulars and the bodyguards stayed on the other side of the bar and gave them some space. 'A big white taxi van arrived at the end of the evening to take them all home. 'They did tell me they were on a stag weekend and introduced the groom.' The Cricket Inn also confirmed the Prince was wearing a cap and glasses when he visited on Sunday.

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Four men and five women deny Newton Abbot gunpoint robbery

May 15, 2014, 5:25 am

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A date has been set for the trial of a group who are alleged to have robbed a man at gunpoint and helped hide the imitation pistol. The four men and five women all denied being involved in the robbery of Hassan Khan at Bakers Park in Newton Abbot on January 22. Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, adjourned the case for a trial at Exeter Crown Court in January next year and released all the defendants on bail. Jamie Jones, Thomas Papworth and Neil Groft denied robbery. James Carpenter and Kayleigh Ineson pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice by helping dispose of an imitation firearm. Jones, aged 24, of Broadlands Avenue, Newton Abbot; Papworth, aged 19, of Hensford Road, Dawlish; and Groft, aged 29, of Carswells, Kingsteignton, are all accused of robbing a Mr Khan of £170 and possession of an imitiation firearm with intent to rob. Carpenter, aged 22, of Ash Road, Kingsteignton, and Ineson, aged 23, of St Leonards Road, Kingsteigton, are both accused of perverting the course of justice by disposing of a safe containing the firearm. The judge adjourned the case against a fifth man, Craig Lee, aged 23, of Liverton, without a plea being taken. He is also facing allegations of helping dispose of evidence.

Scotsman who bragged about his underworld connections found guilty of Exeter stabbing

May 15, 2014, 5:57 am

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A Scotsman who bragged about his underworld connections is facing jail for a savage knife attack on a man who he wrongly accused of stealing his mobile phone. William McGeough is to be assessed for dangerousness after a Judge was told he has a long criminal record including at least two knife attacks in his home city of Glasgow. The 42-year-old attacked fellow countryman Stephen Donnelly who had acted as Good Samaritan by finding him somewhere to stay for the night after he missed a coach home from Exeter to Glasgow. He had been in Devon visiting his mother in Tiverton but missed the evening bus home after meeting Mr Donnelly at the bus station where they started drinking and reminiscing about Glasgow. The victim had become alarmed by McGeough's boasting about his links with notorious criminals as the two men spent the night drinking together. Mr Donnelly, aged 38, borrowed McGeough's Blackberry mobile phone to call for a taxi to get back to the hostel where he was living in Exeter. He could not get through and when he went into the street to try to get a better signal McGeough accused him of 'mugging him off' and stealing the phone. He chased him outside and attacked him from behind with a lock knife he kept in his pocket. The victim suffered a punctured lung, a cut on his kidney, and a stab wound that went right through his cheek as McGeough stabbed him ten times. He also punched his so violently he broke Mr Donnelly's jaw, cheek, eye socket and skull. When police tracked him to the flat where he was staying he told them "the bastard tried to mug me". Mr Donnelly was found semi conscious in a pool of blood in Newport Road, Exeter in January after a neighbour heard him calling for help. A police dog followed a scent back to the flat where McGeough was hiding. McGeough, aged 42, of Grafton Place, Glasgow, was cleared of attempted murder but found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent by a jury at Exeter Crown Court. Judge Mr Justice Burnett adjourned sentence until next month and ordered the probation service to prepare a report assessing McGeough's level of dangerousness. He also asked the prosecution to obtain more details of the previous convictions in Glasgow, which include other offences involving knives. The Judge said:"Given the nature of this offence, the circumstances in which it occurred and the fact that there is a history of violence with the use of weapons, I am going to be concerned with the issue of dangerousness. "In particular I will need to look at whether an extended sentence is appropriate. It would be helpful to be clearer about the circumstances of his earlier offences." Miss Fiona Elder, defending, said:"My client knows he will receive a substantial custodial sentence and is well aware that the question of dangerousness may arise." During the three day case the jury heard from Mr Donnelly how he went to the bus station to meet a friend but started talking to McGeough because they both recognised each others' Glasgow accents. When McGeough missed his bus he offered to find him somewhere to spend the night and they went back to a friend's house in Newport Road where they drank cider and vodka. Mr Donnelly told the jury he became uneasy about his guest. He said:"He kept asking me if I knew people in Glasgow. He came from the East side while I was from Pollock in the South. "I recognised the names he was talking about. Some of them were well known criminals. I had heard of them but did not know them at all. "I was becoming concerned about what he was talking about. That sort of thing is the reason I left Glasgow." He told how he was grabbed from behind, stabbed and punched after he left the flat with McGeough's phone to call a taxi and had eventually managed to stagger away. McGeough claimed Mr Donnelly had stolen his phone and his knife, which he pulled on him when he followed him out of the house. He said he was acting in self defence and picked up and used the knife because he thought to was going to be killed. He will be sentenced next month.

Exeter braces boom no surprise to dentist

May 15, 2014, 5:59 am

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Exeter residents are straightening up and smiling again. As reported in the Echo, the city has seen a 175 per cent increase in demand for braces in just 12 months. Exeter dentist Dr Grant Macree of The Whyte House dental practice is not surprised by the results. "Dental technology is developing all the time so areas like straightening are not only easier, they're also so much more accessible," he said. The Echo reported how private healthcare search engine WhatClinic.com found Exeter was among the top 10 UK cities where the demand for adult braces has soared.

Owen Teale: From Game of Thrones to Welsh Legend

May 15, 2014, 6:27 am

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To mark the centenary of Dylan Thomas’s birth and 60 years since Under Milk Wood was first produced in Britain as a radio play, Clwyd Theatr Cymru has mounted a stage version which comes to Plymouth at the end of this month. Sue Kemp caught up with one of its stars, Game of Thrones actor Owen Teale

As a proud Welsh man Owen Teale loves being part of the anniversary production of Dylan Thomas’s play for voices and is looking forward to bringing it back to Devon.
He is fully aware of its importance and believes the current touring version has taken the play to a new level.
“I’ve always adored it,” he said. “But for me it is a poem, it’s extraordinary poetry, but it is that amazing thing which I call Welsh-English. It is genius, and it is a language you can only hear in Wales, and I’m am enjoying taking it around the country.”
The play tells the story of a day in the life of the inhabitants of Llareggub, a small Welsh town, and features lots of well-loved characters like the blind Captain Cat and Mog Edwards and his sweetheart Miss Price, Sinbad Sailor, Dai Bread, Polly Garter, Nogood Boyo and Lord Cut Glass.
“It’s very much about a very specific small community, and people, and it’s very honestly written about that. But because we are all humans, then surely it should translate that everyone feels the same thing,” he added. “I think it’s got that universality that has made it the classic that it is.”
The play, which tours until July, has already received a string of rave reviews and Swansea-born Owen narrates the tale as the First Voice.
“It going very much to plan — frighteningly so,” he says. And the Tony Award-winning actor, familiar to many for his appearances in Ballykissangel, Stella, and gritty American fantasy blockbuster Game of Thrones, is loving every second.
“You can tell by the ticket sales that we’ve created a buzz, and I hope it continues to grow,” he tells me while taking a break from the performance in Bath.
“We have had a fantastic response from the audiences and that is great to be a part of.
Having been raised near Thomas’s birthplace he feels a close connection with the play and its author. The “play for voices” was first broadcast on BBC radio in January 1954, just a few months after his death.
“I guess I’ve grown up with it being part of my culture. Something that defined me and the people around me was the myth of this pop star, rock legend lifestyle of Dylan Thomas,” he said, adding that he was fully aware of the importance of the production when he agreed to take on the role.
It is 60 years since the play was first broadcast, and this new stage version by Clwyd Theatr Cymru marks the centenary of Thomas’s birth.
“It is a very important play and I knew I had a great responsibility to do it well,” he admits.
“This is like coming home for me and is a really big one – THE big one. But being part of it is beyond anything I ever imagine.
“I grew up with the Richard Burton one. It is what it is – a narration. It’s very strong and touching, but there is not much humour in it.
“Doing the play I discovered that there is so much more to it,” he says, pointing out that the conversational style of the writing is similar to having a chat in the pub.
“This stage version takes the play to a new level, bringing the wit and poignancy of the text to the forefront.
“I think of it as like ‘rent a wedding’. I stand on stage and give the big speech and then the wedding party starts. There is lots of fun and laughter – we just have to hope that there isn’t a fight at the end,” he jokes.
“It’s entertaining, but haunting as well,” he adds, with reference to the feeling of mortality that prevails throughout. “The inevitability of it all. It’s finite.”
The play will be coming to Plymouth’s Theatre Royal at the end of the month and Owen is looking forward to returning to the theatre where he made his stage debut.
“I was just starting out and working to get my Equity card,” he laughs. “I was in Cabaret and played in the chorus as a German Waiter and had to do a very suggestive dance.
“It was really good fun and I have very fond memories of the city and I am really looking forward to going back there.
“I believe the theatre has just undergone a major refurbishment so I can’t wait to see how it looks now.”
It will be the second time in less than a month that he has been to Devon. Under Milk Wood played at Exeter’s Northcott from April 29 to May 3.
“We had a great time in Exeter. The audience was great,” he said. “That is a lovely theatre and city. We really enjoyed our time there.”
Owen said touring can be hard work but is also very rewarding.
“I miss my family when we are on the road,” he said. “I do not get to see my children in the week and that is tough.
“It helps that this production is so good and has been so well received. We do a lot of laughing.”
Always busy, Owen goes straight back into production on Game of Thrones in August.
He has been part of the hit TV show since 2011 and has been amazed by the level of its success.
The last series averaged more than 14 million viewers in the States, becoming cable network HBO’s most-watched series since season four of The Sopranos, while in the UK the premiere drew a record-breaking 4.4 million viewers for Sky Atlantic.
He plays Alliser Thorne and said he knew as soon as he read the script he wanted to be part of it.
“The scale of it all just blew me away and the ambition of it was enough for me to say, ‘I really want to do this’,” he said.
“Alliser Thorne is a ruthless sergeant major-type character. He’s twisted and has been very damaged in the past. He’s great to play and there’s some fantastic dialogue.”
With a wide and varied career, Owen knows he has been lucky to be involved in so many great productions – especially as his first role was Barry Bear.
“My interest in being an actor started with the school production of Under Milk Wood,” he says. “I was 10 years old and I loved it. From then I really wanted to be involved in the arts.
“But I was very good at maths, physics and chemistry and in those days you didn’t have a choice in what you did. You did as you were told. So I started to do my A Levels and was a very unhappy and unruly kid.
“When I was 18 a friend suggested I tried out as an entertainer at nearby Barry Island. I went for the Easter holidays with the intention of returning to school to take my exams in the June – but never went back.
“I spent my time in a bear suit as Barry Bear and that was my introduction to acting.”
After leaving the Guildford School Of Acting in 1984 his first big break came when he got the part as Albie in The Mimosa Boys, the BBC film telling the tragic story of four Welsh Guards on their way to the Falklands War.
“It felt good to get that part,” he said. “It was the time I started to believe that I could really make a living out of acting. I also felt that my acting was finally starting to be taken seriously.
“My attitude has always been that I have a lot to catch up on, that is why I am so keen to take on lots of different types of roles. I want to learn from the best in that particularly genre.
“I did four years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, I have done classical plays, plays on Broadway and in the West End.”
In 1997 he won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance as Torvald opposite Janet McTeer in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House.
But he is also a regular face on TV starring in Ballykissangel, Thin Blue Line, Torchwood and the popular comedy Stella.
With his fingers in so many pies is there any one thing he prefers?
“It has got to be this, the live experience of stage,” he says after taking a moment to think about it. “It is the contact with the audience.
“They have got to go with you. They have got to use their imagination to join you where you take them. And when they do it is a joy.”
And is there anything he hasn’t done that is still on his list?
“That’s a good question,” he ponders. “And one which I really must have an answer too.
“I think I would like to do a modern adaptation of King Lear on film. I think I am of an age now where I can take on that role.
“Lear was a very powerful man and we see him losing that power and his marbles.
“My dad died last year and although there was no talk of dementia, there was a feeling of loosing power and control.
“I think playing Lear would help me to face up to that. So that would be a good future project for me.”
Before then of course it is back to the inhabitants of Llareggub and bringing that wedding party back to Devon.

Under Milk Wood is at The Lyric, Theatre Royal Plymouth, from May 27 to 31. Visit www.theatreroyal.com or call 01752 267222.

Exeter street cleaners vow to beat West Street litter bugs after complaints from local business

May 15, 2014, 6:29 am

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City council street cleaners have vowed to beat the litter bugs of West Street. Businesses in the area have complained at the dumping of rubbish in the street after waste bins were removed from the top and bottom of the street. The area, near the ancient St Mary Steps Church and Stepcote Hill is popular with visitors to the city. A city council spokeswoman said that the bin at the top of West Street was removed after it was abused by traders while the bin at the bottom of the street was also improperly used. She said: "The situation improved for a while but the problem is that people who want to litter will litter. "Our street cleaners go down there daily and we are determined to keep on top of the situation."