FIRE crews from Dane's Castle in Exeter were called to a fire caused by a toaster in a property off Broadway in St Thomas last night.
The fire was out when the crew arrived but there was a lot of smoke so fans were used to clear the home.
↧
Exeter fire crews use fans to clear smoke from property
↧
Plan for former Exeter school to become luxury flats
Plans to convert the former St Margaret's School in Magdalen Road into luxury apartments would also result in a new look for part of Heavitree Road.
While the school buildings would be converted into 31 luxury apartments, there would also be two new apartment blocks on the site and one, housing eight flats, would have a frontage on Heavitree Road, adjacent to the Georgian Midway Terrace.
Plans for the project have been lodged with the city council and reveal that the 31 apartments contained within the converted buildings in the school complex would be made up of six one bed flats, 21 two bed flats or maisonettes and one three bed apartment.
The new block fronting onto Heavitree Road would contain only two bed apartments.
The entire complex would have parking for 47.
The school buildings themselves were built as homes in the early 19th century.
The school was not established until around a century later and gradually expended until last summer when it finally closed.
↧
↧
Exeter bridge safety plan meets with disapproval
Devon fire and rescue authority have objected to safety improvements on a busy Exeter bridge.
The fire authority are against county council proposals to place a width restriction on Chancel Lane bridge in Pinhoe, however councillors have voted for the improvements despite the objection.
The county council wants to narrow the bridge to prevent large vehicles using it and also to reduce speeds over it.
The fire authority said such a restriction would prevent them using the bridge, meaning a delayed response time of one minute 10 seconds to reach Beacon Heath which it considers a high risk area.
Initially highways officers had suggested a width limit of 2metres but this was increased to 2.75metres following the objection.
However, despite the compromise the fire authority are still objecting, asking for a width of 3.7metres.
The issue was discussed at the latest meeting of Exeter highways committee and Emma Morse, county councillor for Pinhoe and Mincinglake said that she felt that they were being asked to decide the issue with a lot of facts missing.
Cllr Morse said: "The fire authority objections seems to be based on 'what ifs' but there are a lot of 'what ifs' on the other side as well, such as what if another vehicle hit the bridge, as happened recently. and this lead to the closure of what is a main railway line.
"We don't know from what they have told us how many times they use this road.
"We are working so hard to get this right but they are not giving us a lot."
Olwen Foggin, county councillor for Heavitree and Whipton Barton, said she was amazed about the objection when the fire authority had spend thousands of pounds on smaller vehicles to be able to get to places such as this.
The committee decided to support the safety measures, which include minor pavement improvements crossing from the bottom of Chancel Lane towards Thursby Walk, although members were aware that when the scheme was advertised to allow people to comment the fire authority would again object – meaning it would have to be referred back to the highways committee.
↧
Fire crews called to Dawlish house fire
Firefighters were called to reports of a fire at a house in Dawlish on Friday evening.
Two fire engines were sent to a property in the High Street just after 6.30pm.
When they arrived crews found there had been a fire in first floor flat involving the microwave.
A fire spokesman said: "The fire was out on arrival, crews inspected the property and made scene safe before leaving the scene."
↧
Leeds Carnegie prop Nathan Hannay charged with East Devon assault
A professional rugby player has appeared in court accused of taking part in an attack on two men while he was in Devon shortly before Christmas.
Prop Nathan Hannay, who weighs 19 stone and stands 6'6'' tall, plays for Leeds Carnegie but comes from Devon and played for Honiton, Sidmouth, Launceston and Jersey before moving to Yorkshire.
Hannay, a former Honiton community college pupil, appeared at Exeter Crown Court where he pleaded not guilty to two joint charges of assault causing actual bodily harm.
Hannay, aged 29, of Horsfield, Leeds, is jointly accused with Aaron Spence of assaulting Dean Bullard and Dean Goddard in East Devon on December 20 last year.
Judge Phillip Wassall adjourned the case for trial and released Hannay on bail.
↧
↧
Exeter paedophile who groomed a 15-year-old girl for sex is jailed for more than seven years
A paedophile who groomed a 15-year-old girl for sex has been jailed for more than seven years.
Jonathan Alford tried to throw police off the scent when the girl complained about what he had done by creating a Facebook page in her name on which she said she had made up the allegations.
The 33-year-old was caught with images of child abuse and bestiality on his computer and later admitted being attracted to under age girls.
Alford, of Lower Wear Road, Exeter, admitted six counts of sexual activity with a child, seven of making or possessing indecent images of children, three of having extreme pornography and one of perverting the course of justice.
He was jailed for a total of seven years and three months by Judge Phillip Wassall at Exeter Crown Court.
The Judge told him:"You had a sexual interest in 15-year-old girls and you began grooming this victim and sending her very explicit texts.
"It is said on your behalf she was a willing participant but that was because by then she had responded to your grooming and it led to a sexual relationship when she was 15.
"You took two indecent images of her and you also had images on your computer which depicted really serious abuse of children.
"Your attempt to pervert the course of justice involved you creating a Facebook page which you then indicated to police and which you said showed she had confessed to lying about her allegations.
"This led to her being re interviewed by the police, which put an even greater impact on her and her family."
Mr James Taghdissian, prosecuting, said the sexual relationship with the girl began when she was 15 in around 2010 and her family noticed her behaviour changed.
When it came to light the girl told police she had engaged all sorts of different sexual activity with Alford but known what they were doing was wrong.
The images were found on Alford's computer when the police investigated but he had denied everything until the day of his trial when the victim was at court waiting to give evidence.
Mr Rupert Taylor, defending, said there was no question that the relationship with the girl had been fully consensual.
He said:"He found her attractive and was flattered by her attention. She was a young woman who was enthusiastic and willing and in control of what she was doing."
↧
Matchday live: Tiverton Town v Port Vale
Follow live updates from Ladysmead at Tiverton Town take on Port Vale in a pre-season friendly.
↧
Update: motorcyclist injured in crash near Exeter remains in a serious condition
A motorcyclist seriously injured after being involved in a road traffic collision on the A379 between Kenton and Starcross on Thursday morning is today described by police as being'very very poorly'..
Police were called shortly before 7.45am on Thursday 24 July after a male motorcyclist was trapped under the red Mitsubishi Shogun, registered to Bristol.
He was treated at the scene by paramedics after being freed by the fire service, and then taken by air ambulance to Derriford Hospital, Plymouth where he remains.
↧
Bomb squad detonates suspicious package found under a car in an Exmouth street after homes are evacuated
Several properties were evacuated in Exmouth last night after a suspicious package was found under a car, police have revealed.
A team from the Royal Naval Bomb Disposal squad carried out a controlled explosion after a cordon was thrown around the area which centred on Byron Way.
The drama lasted several hours and began around 8pm when the package was first noticed and a police specialist search officers were alerted.
They in turn requested the bomb disposal team to attend.
Police have since delivered letters to residents in the immediate area, reassuring them that there is no cause for alarm.
In a letter to residents acting sergeant Stuart White, from Exmouth Police, said: "At approximately 22.00 on July 25 police were made aware of a suspicious package beneath a car in Byron Way. This was investigated by specialist search trained officers who requested the support of the Royal Navy Bomb Disposal (RNBD) team.
"The RNBD team carried out a control detonation of the device as standard procedure. During thios time a cordon was set up around the surrounding area for the safety of the general public and a number of properties in the immediate vicinity were evacuated.
Police thanked residents for their patience and added: "There is no further cause for concern." • A man is in police custody in relation to the incident.
↧
↧
Tiverton Town 1 Port Vale 1: Match report
A battling and resolute defensive performance from Tiverton Town saw them hold League One side Port Vale to a 1-1 draw at Ladysmead.
The Yellows went ahead through summer signing James Mudge after 11 minutes in one of their rare attacks on the Port Vale goal.
However, the home side remained focused and strong in defence and as a result came close to pulling off a shock until substitute Ben Williamson equalised with six minutes to go.
Tivvy boss Martyn Rogers matched Port Vale up in terms of formation, with Mudge and fellow new arrival Owen Howe starting up front in a 4-4-2 formation.
There was also a place in the starting line-up for Steve Goss, at centre-half, and Adam Bilcock, in midfield, after they signed terms with the club following Tuesday night's 2-2 draw with Truro City.
Port Vale also named a strong line-up with four new signings in their starting XI. And it was one of the new players who had the first chance of the match as Mark Marshall controlled the ball inside the area and drilled a low shot towards goal that Tiverton keeper Chris Wright saved.
Tiverton then took a surprise lead in the 11th minute when Owen Howe played the ball in from the right for Mudge to fire past Chris Neal from close range.
However, it was Vale who were the enjoying the majority of possession and territory in the first half. The lively Marshall, who joined the club in July having been released by Coventry, won a free-kick midway through the half as he darted towards the opposition box. However, Chris Lines wasted the free-kick by firing his effort straight at Wright.
Next time Vale were awarded a free-kick, Marshall took it himself. However, he smashed his effort straight into the Tivvy wall and then rather optimistically appealed for handball.
It perhaps highlighted the desperation of the Vale attackers who were growing frustrated by some determined Tivvy defending. Even the prolific Tom Pope was denied a goal as James Richards got a crucial sliding block as he lined shot from inside the box just before half-time.
Rogers made three changes at the break, bringing on Jimmy Hinds, Tom Tricker and Adam Faux.
Micky Adams made five changes as keeper Chris Neal exited along with Adam Yates, Louis Dodds, Michael Brown and Marshall. They were replaced by Sean Johnson, Colin Daniel, Chris Birchall, Ben Williamson and Chris Robertson.
Port Vale were first to go close again at the start of the second half as Daniel found space in the box and latched onto a through ball. However, his finish was poor and wide of the mark.
Pope's finish five minutes later was better as his right foot shot hit the post, rebounded off the head of Wright, hit the post again and rolled across the goal line. The 28-year-old striker could hardly believe he hadn't scored.
However, it was that kind of afternoon for Vale as Ben Williamson cut in from the left and hit a stinging drive that Wright flew to his right to turn around the post.
A well worked free-kick then saw Pope nod the ball back across goal to leave Williamson with a free header, but his effort ended up over the top.
Wright was then called into action again as he palmed away a fierce effort from Carl Dickinson on 65 minutes. Then another block from Tom Gardner prevented Williamson from getting a shot on goal from the edge of the six-yard box with 12 minutes to go.
However, just as it looked as though Tivvy might escape with a unlikely win, the Vale breakthrough came with six minutes to go.
Williamson was the player to score as he firmly headed a deep cross from Chris Duffy into the net from eight yards out.
It was no more than Vale deserved on the balance of play, but harsh on the Tivvy defence who hard worked tirelessly in hot conditions to keep their high-flying visitors out.
Tiverton Town: Chris Wright, Jake Wannell, Josh Searle, James Richards ©, Steve Goss (Ed Weeks, 75), Tom Gardner, Jed Harper-Penman (Jimmy Hinds, 45), Adam Bilcock (Tom Tricker, 45), Owen Howe (Jess Howe, 57), Dan Western (Alex Faux, 45), James Mudge (Khalid Badavi, 57). Subs not used: Ethan Phillips.
Port Vale: Chris Neal (Sam Johnson, 45), Adam Yates (Colin Daniel, 45), Carl Dickinson, Ryan McGivern (Chris Robertson, 45), Richard Duffy, Louis Dodds, Chris Lines (Chris Birchall, 45), Tom Pope, Michael Brown, Steve Jennings, Mark Marshall (Ben Williamson, 45). Subs not used: Nathan Smith, Ryan Boot.
↧
Police release a 53-year-old man after a 'domestic dispute' led to major Exmouth bomb scare
A 53-year-old man has been released without charge after what is thought to be a domestic incident lead to the bomb disposal unit being called to an Exmouth street.
Police are now reassuring local residents that the bomb disposal squad were called in to detonate a package simply'as a precaution'.
The incident began at 8pm on Friday night when a suspicious package was found under a car in Byron Way.
Homes were evacuated and a cordon set up around the area while the Royal Naval Bomb Disposal Unit carried out a controlled explosion.
Acting detective inspector Steven Wray, based in Exeter, said: "This proved to be a false alarm and seems to be part of a domestic dispute.
Police did not know what the package was and had to take every precaution to protect the public.
"There was nothing of a criminal nature and a 53-year-old man was brought in to help with our inquiries and has now been released without charge."
↧
AUDIO: Rogers praises team's work ethic after 1-1 draw with Port Vale
Martyn Rogers said his side showed a lot of character to record a 1-1 draw with Port Vale in hot conditions on Saturday afternoon.
Tiverton took the lead through Jamie Mudge, before Ben Williamson equalised with six minutes to go.
Listen to Martyn Rogers thoughts on the game above.
↧
Exmouth van driver broke girlfriend's arm during row
A van driver has been sent on a course to curb domestic violence after he broke his girlfriend's arm as he dragged her up the stairs during an argument.
Ross Hansen grabbed Gemma Wilson by the wrists because she wanted to stay downstairs watching a movie on television instead of going to bed.
He lost his temper when she kicked out to stop him and left her with a fracture in one of the two small bones just above the hand as he dragged her upstairs.
Hansen, aged 22, of York Close, Exmouth, admitted causing actual bodily harm and was ordered to do 80 hours unpaid community work and attend a 'building better relationships' course as part of 18 months supervision.
He was ordered to pay £595 costs by Recorder Miss Sarah Vaughan-Jones at Exeter Crown Court.
She told him:"This was a disgraceful attack on a young woman in her own home which happened because you could not get your own way. It is very fortunate for her and for you the injuries were not more serious."
Mr Gordon Richings, prosecuting, said the couple had been in a volatile relationship for some time and had a child together but on the night of the attack they were staying alone at her family home in Pound Street in Exmouth.
They were watching a movie around midnight and he suggested switching it off and going to bed but she was keen to see the end of it.
Mr Richings said about 20 minutes later he asked again and she told him to go to bed and said she would join him later, but he became angry and grabbed her.
He said:"There was swearing and a struggle and he started to drag her upstairs. She tried to get away and he dragged her by the wrists, causing the painful injury."
Miss Emily Pitts, defending, said Hansen has shown total remorse from the outset and pleaded guilty even though the victim wanted to withdraw the complaint.
She said he was so keen to learn how to behave better he had contacted the probation service and told them he thought it would be a good idea for him to go on the course.
↧
↧
South West Water fined £125,000 for polluting three rivers in Devon
South West Water have been fined £125,000 for polluting three different Devon rivers with sewage after a series of breakdowns at treatment plants.
The company allowed untreated sewage to spill out at the works at Black Torrington, near Bideford; George Nympton, near South Molton, and Holsworthy at different times in 2013.
They blamed some of the resultant pollution on farmers and one of the overflows on debris from tree felling blocking up the works.
South West Water admitted four offences of discharging waste outside Environment Agency permits at the three plants and were fined a total of £125,000 with £18,743.69 costs by Recorder Mr Paul Dunkels, QC, at Exeter Crown Court.
He said the fines took into account the difficulties the company faced in running an operation which includes 639 sewage treatment plants, 808 pumping stations, and 9,274 miles of sewers.
He said the company was trying to improve its environmental standards but had been negligent in failing to ensure the three plants operated properly on the occasions when the discharges occurred.
He said:"In my judgment a solution could and should have been found earlier to the blocking of the inlet pipe at Black Torrington.
"However, while it was negligent to have failed to resolve the problems earlier I do not think it can be properly characterised as reckless."
The sentences are important because they are among the first in the country to have been issued since new advice was issued by the Sentencing Guidelines Council for environmental offences, which came into force on July 1.
The Judge ruled that South West Water's record of 115 previous convictions was not an aggravating factor because of the scale and nature of the business they run.
During the two day case Environment Agency prosecutor Mr Christopher Badger, said the discharges happened at different times.
Five took place between July and December at the Torrington plant, resulting in discharges of sewage into the Black Torrington stream, which flows into the River Torridge.
Sewage was found to be leaking from the George Nympton plant during an EA inspection in July and a stretch of the River Mole was found to contain fungus which suggested the leak had been going on for some time.
The Holsworthy leaks were uncovered by regular monitoring and the cause has since been traced and fixed.
Mr Martin Meeke, defending, said no damage had been done to wildlife and the company has spent tens of thousands of pounds improving all the works to ensure there are no more problems.
He said one of the discharges at Black Torrington had been caused by workmen trimming a bank of Leylandii trees which had been planted 30 years ago to screen the sewage plant from nearby homes.
The pollution spotted in the River Mole did not necessarily come from the leak at the George Nympton plant because the river passes through agricultural land where animals are grazing and there may be some run-off.
He said two of the three plants rank as the smallest in their portfolio with Torrington handling waste from 300 people, George Nympton from 104 and Holworthy from just over 3,000.
↧
Barman created fake Facebook account to prey on young schoolgirls
A barman created a false identity for himself as a schoolboy on Facebook so he could try to persuade teenage girls to send him sexy pictures.
Luke Beard set up a Facebook page under the bogus name of Jamie Farrell and posted a false picture to back up his claim to be a sixth former in Ilfracombe.
He used the Facebook identity to contact three 13-year-old girls living in North Devon and sent them sexualised messages asking them to send him "cheeky" pictures of themselves.
The 29-year-old was working as a barman in the town but has since moved away from the area after his ruse was discovered by a suspicious mother who checked her daughter's internet use.
Beard, of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, admitted three offences of inciting a child to make an indecent image.
He was ordered to take part in a sex offenders treatment programme as part of a three-year community order by Judge Phillip Wassall at Exeter Crown Court.
He told him: "You set up bogus accounts on Facebook and KIK and used them to trawl around to try to find 13-year-old girls.
"There is a very compelling argument that if you complete the sex offenders' treatment course it is likely your level of risk or re-offending with be reduced to minimal."
The Judge also imposed a five year Sexual Offences Prevention Order which controls his contact with girls under 16 and allows the police to monitor his internet use.
Joss Ticehurst, prosecuting, said Beard was caught after the mother of a 13-year-old girl in North Devon spotted messages on her daughter's Facebook page asking for "cheeky" pictures.
They came from an account in the name of Jamie Farrell but this turned out to be an alias invented by Beard.
Officers found other traffic on his computers which indicated he had been in touch with at least two other 13-year-old and had sent one an obscene image.
Emily Pitts, defending, said Beard had never been in trouble before and had not actually been sent any indecent images by any of the girls.
She said: "None of the girls sent him photographs and there was no contact at all with them. They learned a lesson and will be able to avoid similar risks in the future."
↧
Floral shrine growing for 18-year-old fomer Exeter schoolboy Mason Jones who died in bike crash
Floral tributes have been left at the scene of where an 18-year-old former Exeter schoolboy died in a motorbike crash.
Mason Jones died after the collision in Mid Devon on Tuesday evening.
Since his death tributes have been pouring in for the popular former Isca College of Media Arts pupil.
And, as our pictures show, a growing shrine is developing at the crash site in Uffculme.
These are among the latest tributes posted to our Facebook site:
"Mason Still can't get my head around it....Our lovely Nephew.....taken too soon.....love you forever xxxx"
"R.I.P Mason!! Such an energetic outgoing person! Gonna miss you!!"
"Rip sweetheart you were so lovely and always put a smile on my face."
"Rest in peace Mason, you'll be missed by many and never forgotten... proud to have be able to know you and call you a friend xxxx
↧
Several 'near misses' reported as motorists ignore sign at Exe Bridges
LOCAL residents have reported near misses as cars turn right when exiting from the Exe Bridge Retail Centre onto Cowick Street.
It is left turn only but some driver see turning right as a handy way to get to Exe bridges.
Local councillor, Paul Bull has suggested that "a quick and easy solution to the problem could be to respectfully request that the management of the retail centre places a sign at the T-junction on the approach to the exit advising that there is NO exit towards Exe Bridges roundabout".
Cllr Bull also pointed out at a recent highways meeting that the traffic island in the middle of the road opposite to the exit/entrance could be made longer to prevent cars turning right.
However, highways officers have said that the island isn't any longer than it as that would prevent some of the longer vehicles that service the King's Arms from making the left turn into the pub's yard from Cowick Street.
Highways engineers are to look into the problem.
↧
↧
Exeter's weed crisis branded a 'fiasco' as Devon County Council takes back spraying cash
IT seems that Exeter's weeds will not be sprayed at all this year.
Money passed by the county council to the city council to pay for the spraying has been 'rescinded'.
Instead the money will be used for additional weed pulling by those sentenced to take part in community pay-back schemes.
Members of Exeter highways committee have called for urgent meetings about how the weeds will be dealt with next year, saying that the situation this year is 'disgraceful' and a 'fiasco'.
In the past, Exeter received three weed sprays a year but this year the county council said that it only had money in the budget for one.
The money, £22,000, was to be used by the city council who usually do the work under contract for the county council.
However, this year the city council has said the weeds have become so big that spraying will do no good and they should be pulled out instead.
Andy Hannan, county councillor for Priory and St Leonard's said: "Clearly targeted weeding of certain roads will improve matters, but it is important that county councillors with local knowledge are involved in the choice of these.
"It's a pity that the spraying programme seems to have been dropped entirely as it is a more effective way of reaching large areas of the city."
Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon's cabinet member for highway management, said: "The order to Exeter City Council for weed spraying was unfortunately 'rescinded' on their advice as they did not believe it would be cost effective to spray at this time. The funding which has now been made available, will be used for additional targeted weed pulling and will also pay for a mechanical sweeper to clear weeds from the kerb edges. "Funding was already in place for three days of weed pulling in each electoral division to be undertaken by the community payback teams, some of which is already underway."
Cllr Keith Owen, the city's lead councillor for environment, health and wellbeing, said: "Devon County Council is responsible for the upkeep of highways in the city, including the treatment of weeds.
"Earlier this year the
city council agreed that it could do this work on their behalf, basically the spraying of highways weeds, if they agreed to cover the associated cost.
"Unfortunately, Devon County Council was unable to commit to a budget for the works at that time and as a result the weed spraying didn't proceed. It would now be ineffective to spray the weeds due to the time of year.
"Therefore we are now concentrating all our efforts on pulling the weeds out in the city until they can be sprayed later in the year."
↧
Women reveal their inspirations as thousands take part in Exeter's Race for Life
WESTPOINT Exeter was a sea of pink today as thousands turned up to take part in Race for Life which raises funds for Cancer Research UK.
For most, the race and its slogan Cancer We're Coming to Get You was personal.
Exeter mum and daughter team Pat Whitney and Louise Priddle had several family members who were affected by cancer and Pat herself is a cancer survivor.
Pat said: "This is the third time we have taken part, I've raised £150 and Louise has raised £100 and we're hoping that will go higher."
A large contingent were members of staff at Tesco's Exe Vale store and were taking part in memory of work colleague Bev Sluman who died in May.
Some 4,000 women and youngsters took part, virtually all of them wearing pink and will raise £218,497 by their efforts.
Those taking part in the 5k and 10k races were started on their way by 11-year-old Jasmine Larkman from Crediton who has survived leukaemia.
Jasmine was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2010, after mum Rachel noticed bruises on her legs while they were on holiday, and a change in her personality.
Rachel said: "Jasmine had many problems on the way, but finished treatment in December, 2012. As soon as she went back to school in January, 2013, she complained of headaches and a stiff neck and was diagnosed with a relapse.
"It was such a bad time. We had been so relieved to have got to the end of treatment, and then we started all over again.
Jasmine is now well after a bone marrow transplant with her sister Beth as donor.
↧
Delays to creation of wildlife haven on Exeter roundabout
THERE has been a further delay to the installation of a swift tower on the Paris Street roundabout.
The tower, which is costing £40,000, is being paid for under the terms of a planning agreements with the nearby Jury's Inn for public art.
It was to have made its appearance this summer and while the city council has given no reason for the delay, it has told the Echo that the tower should be erected in the autumn.
A spokesman for the city council said: "The site engineering works are complete and the contractor has left the site until the tower is ready to be installed.
"The area of gravel will be left for the crane that will be needed to install the tower: we are also in discussion with Devon Wildlife Trust about wildflower seeding and it may be possible that the hardcore can be used as part of this.
"It is likely that the swift tower will be installed in the early autumn."
The original plans showed that there would also be a dry stone wall and wood sculptures incorporating homes for mini-beasts and nesting birds.
The aim is to turn the roundabout into a wildlife haven.
↧