Breaking: Storm leads to flash flooding across Exeter

October 16, 2014, 11:36 am

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A safety warning has been issued after a large thunderstorm led to flash flooding across Exeter. At around 7pm this evening residents reported loud and prolonged thunder as lightning lit up the night sky. The torrential downpour last for less than an hour but has left many roads and homes flooded. Motorists have been warned to be careful in the conditions and not drive through flood water. Flash floods have been reported in Heavitree, Pinhoe, Polsloe, Honiton, Alphington and Longbrook Street among others. Burnthouse Lane is also believed to be badly affected while the Honiton Road covers near Sweetbrier Lane have also blown. Businesses down at Exeter Quay also used sandbags to protect their premises while some homes in the city are understood to have been affected. PCSO Sarah Giles warned: "Drain covers are lifting. Do not drive through flood. "Exeter is dealing many flash floods on main roads throughout the city. Don't forget the same will be true of rural roads. "Rain seems to have let up - but there are many roads throughout Exeter that have flooded. Don't drive unless absolutely necessary." An Exeter City Council spokesman added: "Take it easy out there everyone. Flash flooding may cause delays and pop manhole covers." Updates as we have them. If you have been affected by the flash floods you can contact us at echonews@expressandecho.co.uk

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Videos and pictures: Flash floods brings chaos to roads, homes and businesses across Exeter

October 16, 2014, 1:10 pm

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THE clear-up has begun this morning after heavy storms caused flash flooding throughout Exeter. Thunder, lightning and heavy rain battered the city at around 7pm last night. Drains blew in several areas making roads impassable. Longbrook Street, Honiton Road, Burnthouse Lane, Rifford Road, Polsloe Bridge, Alphington Road and Marsh Barton were all affected. Several businesses were also affected and many have arrived to work this morning to discover flood water in their property. Several Echo readers captured the dramatic scene on video and in pictures.

Post by Alex Toze.

Post by Andy Southard.

If you have any images you would like to add to our gallery send them to echonews@expressandecho.co.uk

Thief jailed by judge in Exeter for emptying father's account to set up new life in Philippines

October 16, 2014, 1:57 pm

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A thieving son has been jailed for emptying his father's Post Office account and using the money to start a new life as an ex-pat in the Philippines. David Cundle's father Alan was in a nursing home in Lynton when he flew back from the Far East and gained access to the £6,000 in his savings account. Cundle had previously called his father from abroad and staff at the care home overheard him demanding thousands of pounds. He had previously been a carer looking after his elderly parents at their home in Devon but had been unable to cope with their increasing demands and they had both moved into care homes. Cundle fled to the Philippines after his theft came to light and only returned to Britain a few weeks ago when his father was dying. He was arrested at the airport and was still in custody when his father died without him having a chance to apologise for his behaviour. Cundle, aged 41, of Bear Street, Barnstaple, denied stealing £6,213 from his father but was found guilty by Magistrates in Barnstaple who committed his case for sentence at Exeter where he was jailed for 15 months by Judge Erik Salomonsen. He told him:"You went the Philippines and clearly believed your parents had an obligation to give you money and asked for £3,000. This clearly caused anxiety to your father. "When you returned to Britain, knowing they were not prepared to give you money, you gained access to your father's account and simply drained every penny that was there and was intended for your parents' use in the care home. "This was a breach of trust and in my judgment was a despicable offence by someone who knew they were not allowed to have access to their parents' finances." Miss Beth Heaton, prosecuting, said the money was taken out of a Post Office account which Cundle accessed before leaving Britain to return to his new home in the Philippines. He failed to return for his trial and was convicted in his absence by magistrates and arrested on his return to Britain. Mr Nigel Wraith, defending, said Cundle has a history of mental problems and has made several suicide attempts in the past. He had tried his best to care for his parents but the task had become too difficult to him and he had only gone abroad after they were both taken into care homes. He said Cundle's deep remorse and distress have been aggravated by his being unable to see his father to apologise before he died earlier this year.

Devon set to be battered by heavy rain and gales this weekend

October 16, 2014, 4:15 pm

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Heavy rain and gusts of 50 miles per hour are set to lash the Devon this weekend amid fears an Atlantic hurricane could bring fresh misery days later. High winds, thunderstorms and blustery showers hit the region last night with more expected to hit the west coast today, bringing a wave of rain across the country that will spread into the weekend. There is concern that hurricane Gonzalo – which will smash into Bermuda today with 140 miles per hour guts, causing structural damage and flooding – could reach the UK on Tuesday. Forecasters are monitoring the storm and expect it to "decay" as it works its way towards our shores but the front will still bring gale force winds of 60 mph and heavy rain, possibly for days. The Exeter-based Met Office, said a massive area of low pressure has been brewing in the Atlantic and is nudging its way towards Britain. Spokesman Dan Williams said it is "distinctive" because it is so big, and is going to bring unsettled weather over the weekend. "We are looking at blustery and showery weather, but not too high in terms of rainfall," he added. No warnings are yet in place but forecasters are monitoring Gonzalo, which is causing "a bit of concern". Autumn's muddled weather is set to continue, with London and the South East enjoying unseasonably warm temperatures of around 21C. The large area of low pressure has conjured up warm air from the south which is expected to send the mercury up to 20C to 21C in London over the weekend. But blustery showers will leave people feeling much cooler. Mr Williams said: "The bulk of the rain or showers will be in the west, but there is some dense cloud area over central parts of the south of the UK. There might be some wind and rain in those places." Winds of 20 to 30mph will sweep across the country, but stronger gales of 50mph are expected to hit parts of the coast. This spell of unsettled weather could continue into early next week as Hurricane Gonzalo, which is packing punches of more than 110mph, works its way towards Bermuda in the Atlantic. The potent storm is expected to move north and east across the Atlantic towards Britain in the coming days. But forecasters said it is expected to drastically lose power as it works its way towards our shores.

Dying man's wish to donate £2m to make Sidmouth 'beautiful'

October 16, 2014, 4:37 pm

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A dying man's wish to see a beloved Devon resort bathed in a sea of colourful blooms has helped it win a coveted floral crown. Banker Keith Owen left over £2million to the elegant Victorian town of Sidmouth on the condition the money was spent on keeping it looking 'beautiful.' The 69-year-old Canadian, who was born in Totnes, changed his will to favour the Sid Vale Association when he learned that he was suffering from terminal cancer. In the remaining weeks of his life, Mr Owens, whose mother had lived in the resort, spoke to civic leaders about the gift, suggesting residents embark on a project to plant one million bulbs. His dying wish became a reality when the town's residents mobilised last Autumn to plant the first 178,000 flowers - more than 10 for each of its 15,000 inhabitants. Now the generous legacy paid dividends when last night Sidmouth was awarded the prestigious Silver Gilt at the finals of the 50th Britain in Bloom, now run by the Royal Horticultural Society

Exeter hit by flash floods - fire crews receive over 70 calls as inch of rain falls in an hour

October 16, 2014, 11:56 pm

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Fire crews dealt with scores of calls overnight following torrential rain over Exeter in the early evening last night. From 7pm onwards fire control at Clyst St received more than 70 weather related calls after a storm over Exeter caused flash flooding. On Friday morning the clean up began but the floods took their toll. Exeter's Ladysmith School was closed because of flooding. Exeter Met Office reported that nearly an inch (19mm) of rain fell on the city between 7pm and 8pm. A spokesman said: "That is a lot of rain in a relative short time span, although in October as a whole Devon can expect around 140mm of rain. "It was quite localised to the city and was caused by local factors, with showers crossing Dartmoor and being pumped up with Exeter just being in the wrong place this time." A number of manhole covers "blew" because of the pressure of the downpour. A county council spokesman said the lack of surface water today indicated the drains had worked. "It was a question ofcoping with that much rain in a relatively short period. When the underground chambers are full, that's when the manholes covers will go. "They are overwhelmed but the drains are working as shown by the absence of surface water this morning." As highways authroity the county carries out drain clearnace while the city council undertakes operations through its street cleaners to clear fallen elaves. Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management and Flood Prevention, said: "The intensity of rainfall in such a short space of time caused localised flooding in a number of areas of Exeter including Old Tiverton Road, Pinhoe Road, Longbrook Street, Queen Street, Russell Street, Honiton Road and Redhills. Problems were particularly experienced at the bottom of inclines where drainage systems were overwhelmed by the volume of rainfall. "Some of the flooding to homes and businesses was also exacerbated by vehicles passing through floodwater and creating a bow wave. We would urge motorists not to drive through floodwater as you cannot tell what is underneath the surface - especially if a manhole cover has lifted. "Most of the water subsided last night which shows that the drainage systems are clear and working, but could not cope with the intensity of the downpours. Clearing up and cleaning work is continuing today. "Devon County Council is working with Exeter City Council and other relevant organisations to gather information on the homes and business affected by this flash flooding in order to inform the future approach to managing flood risk across the city." One of the most serious flooding incidents came in the city's Longbrook Street "dip" where deep water built up and attempts by drivers to drive through ended with cars stalling and the wash "floating" parked vehicles. Devon and Somerset fire service attended 55 incidents due to flooding inside properties and alarms operating due to the weather. Exeter watch manager Sean Faulkner, at the city's Dane's Castle fire station said: "It was a pretty busy night all round. "There were quite a lot of fire alarms set off by the heavy rain leaking in to systems. "We also had a number of flooded basement flats and, notably, a doctor's surgery in St Leonard's that was about to flood. We managed to get there in time and pump the water away. "We also had a number of overturned cars, and we would ask drivers to use extra caution in those sort of conditions. "We would also ask for drivers not to enter flood water and that if a fire alarm is set off and you are certain it is a false alarm then call the fire brigade to let them know and we can act accordingly." Part of Ladysmith School in Pretoria Road, Heavitree was also flooded. Fire crews attended four weather related incidents in Plymouth. Crews from Exeter, Exmouth, Topsham, Ottery St Mary, Crediton and Cullompton assisted members of the public with these.

Homeless man cleared of trying to burgle Exeter home after taking legal highs

October 17, 2014, 1:58 am

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A homeless man has been cleared of trying to burgle a house where the owner found him in his enclosed back garden. Matthew Stamp claimed he got lost after drinking and taking legal highs and had gone into the wrong house while looking for a mystery woman who he met on Exeter's Cathedral Green. Stamp was found not guilty of burglary by a jury at Exeter Crown Court after insisting he never had any intention to steal anything and had no idea how he ended up in someone else's garden. He said he must have climbed over an eight foot back wall while looking for a woman who had told him she was staying at a house in the Magdalen Road area. He said he had no memory of being inside the house even though the owner and a friend heard footsteps upstairs and saw a figure moving around in the kitchen. The jury took less than an hour to clear Stamp despite being told he had two previous convictions for almost identical burglaries at other houses in Exeter. Stamp, aged 29, of Smythen Street, Exeter, denied burglary with intent to steal at the house in April this year and was found not guilty. He would have faced a minimum sentence of three years if he had been found guilty because of his previous convictions. During a one day trial householder Vernon Lester told the court he called the police after a friend who was watching television with him in the evening heard footsteps upstairs and spotted a stranger in the kitchen. She fetched Mr Lester who found Stamp in his back garden, claiming to be lost and looking for another house. Nothing was taken and no forensic evidence found at the house. Stamp said he had been drinking and taking legal highs on Cathedral Green when his group were joined by a woman who befriended him and invited him to visit her at her home in Magdalen Road. He said:"I had been drinking and been to a shop in the city centre to buy legal highs. I was with a group of people I had never met before and one was a woman who said she was staying in Magdalen Road. "My memory is a bit hazy but I ended up in Mr Lester's address. I had never been there before. I remember walking towards the shops but honestly can't remember what happened from there. "I just remember being in the back garden. I suppose I must have got over the wall at the back. I did not have any intention of stealing anything."

Exeter Chiefs make 11 changes to face Bayonne

October 17, 2014, 2:05 am

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Adam Hughes will make his Exeter Chiefs debut against Bayonne tomorrow evening as one of 11 changes to the side that beat London Irish. The Welshman is named in the centre alongside Ian Whitten, with Jack Arnott named at full-back and winger Tom James, scrum-half Haydn Thomas and fly-half Ceri Sweeney also called into the starting XV. Sweeney will also skipper the side. Up front, Carl Rimmer, Mitch Lees and Don Armand are the other players to retain their place along with winger Jack Nowell. Tonga hooker Elvis Taione and Scotland tighthead Moray Low make their first starts for the club, with Ryan Caldwell, James Scaysbrook and Kai Hortsmann also selected. On the bench there could be first appearances of the season for Greg Bateman, Alex Brown, Sireli Naqelevuki, Dave Lewis and Fetu'u Vainikolo. Head coach Rob Baxter believes the side he has selected should be able to record a win in their opening European Challenge Cup Pool Two match in the south of France. He said: "We believe we have a strong squad and we believe we have some players who have been playing well and training well, who have not quite had an opportunity within the Premiership group so far this season because of the way we have been performing and gathering points. "Therefore the key for us over these next four weeks is to come through this period in a stronger position than we are now. That in itself makes these games very important to us because I genuinely believe this is a key month for us. I say that not just in terms of getting results on the pitch, but also bringing through a group of players who are absolutely flying by the time we get back into the Premiership. "Getting the balance of that and keep the intensity high enough for us to get back into the Premiership with ease is quite a challenge. However, the players seem focused and they've trained with great energy again this week. "Right now I'm expecting a huge performance from us over in Bayonne – and again next week because Connacht will be another massive challenge as we know from past experiences."Exeter Chiefs: Arnott; Nowell, Hughes, Whitten, James; Sweeney, Thomas; Rimmer, Taione, Low, Lees, Caldwell, Armand, Scaysbrook, Horstmann. Reps: Bateman, Sturgess, Brown, Welch, Naqelevuki, Lewis, Steenson, Vainikolo

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Devon Environmental Business Initiative Awards finalists prepare for judging

October 17, 2014, 3:54 am

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Companies from Exeter and East Devon are well represented on the shortlist for the 2014 Devon Environmental Business Initiative Awards. A total of 55 entries were received in this year's contest, with judges implementing tough criteria to select the finalists in each category. DEBI chairman Andy Vickery said: "We're delighted to have such a wide range of businesses and educational initiatives from all areas of Devon represented in the shortlist. "The judges will be visiting all of them over the coming weeks in order to make an informed decision on the outright winners in each category. They also have the hard task of choosing one overall winner." Exeter's Real Food Store, Devon Cliffs Holiday Park, Larkbeare Grange and Paignton Zoo are finalists in the Sustainable Food, Retail, Hospitality and Leisure category. Shortlisted for the Green Goods & Services Award are: the Real Food Store; SunGift Solar; Twool and South West Highways. In the Sustainable Ethos category, the finalists are: Devon Cliffs Holiday Park; Otter Nurseries; Exeter Community Initiatives, for the Bike Bank; and Whitehill Country Park. Environmental Champion candidates include: Felicity Sylvester, of North Devon's Brilliant Fish; Devon Wildlife Trust volunteer Joyce Dignam; Simon Friend, a tutor at South West Energy Centre in Paignton; and Brian O'Brien, park ranger at Devon Cliffs Holiday Park in Exmouth. Finalists in the new category of Environmental Education are: Devon Wildlife Trust; St Sidwell's C of E Primary School in Exeter; Okehampton Primary School and Southwest Beach Schools. Winners will be revealed at a ceremony at the Met Office on Thursday, November 20.

Thrive Enterprise Hub launched at Exeter's Dean Clarke House

October 17, 2014, 4:03 am

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Exeter has been chosen as the location for the first in a new network of high-end business centres with nationwide expansion plans. Thrive Enterprise Hubs is launching its flagship venue at Dean Clarke House in Southernhay, with others set to follow in Plymouth, Ivybridge and Cardiff next year ahead of a planned national roll-out. It comes as Burrington Estates, a property development company managing a £75m property portfolio in the region, is establishing its new headquarters at the historic former hospital building. The company has recently completed the redevelopment of Grade II*-listed Dean Clarke House into 23 exclusive apartments. Thrive Hubs are the brainchild of Burrington Estates managing director Mark Edworthy, who said: "This building is one of the main reasons I moved to Exeter, because I love this space and Southernhay so much. "As a result of doing this project I met an amazing team of people and that's the genesis of moving to Devon. We think with the team based here there's some exciting stuff we can achieve. We are trying to create a pipe of money from London to the South West by building a package of projects and a track record so that people trust us with their money." Burrington Estates is also behind plans to convert Exeter's Old City Library into a mixture of 34 student flats and commercial premises. Its portfolio also includes residential and mixed-use developments in Plymouth, Ivybridge and Newquay. Due to open early next year, the Thrive Hub at Dean Clarke House features a luxurious lounge and boardroom for meetings, as well as serviced offices and hot-desking facilities available by the hour, day or month. Thrive Hubs managing director Ray Bell said the aim was to create a space for co-working where businesspeople could benefit from making connections and sharing expertise. "The networking and community element is crucial," he added. Ray said the company would look to expand through both franchises and by operating existing venues on behalf of their current owners. A launch event for the newly renovated clubroom featured a question and answer session with and two-time Ryder Cup winning golfer David Howell and former Exeter Chiefs player Chris Whitehead.

Food fight raises cash for Hospiscare and Hospitality Action

October 17, 2014, 4:12 am

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Staff of the Railway and the Holt pubs in Honiton and the Deer Park Hotel in Weston let off steam for a good cause by staging an outdoor food fight. Customer and local resident Matt Young was on hand to officiate and attempt to keep things in order as the teams did battle in a field at the Deer Park Hotel. West Country Fruit Sales provided some out-of-date food which was used for throwing around. The day raised £300, which was split evenly between the East Devon Hospiscare appeal and Hospitality Action, which is the industry's benevolent organisation.

Exeter's St Luke's celebrates its 160th anniversary

October 17, 2014, 5:07 am

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The University of Exeter's St Luke's Campus is celebrating its 160th anniversary this year. Originally founded as a teacher training college, the campus is now home to the University of Exeter Medical School, Sports and Health Sciences, as well as the Graduate School of Education. Saturday, October 18 is St Lukes Day, and the official date of the 160th anniversary. A 'Festival of Evensong for St Luke' will mark the anniversary tonight (October 17) at the St Luke's Chapel with further celebrations organised next term.

Stories of dramatic rescues emerge as clean-up following flash floods in Exeter continues

October 17, 2014, 5:18 am

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STORIES of dramatic rescues have emerged following the flash floods that hit much of Exeter last night. The Met Office say that more than an inch of rain fell in less than an hour – the force of which blew several manhole covers across the city. Roads, homes and businesses were flooded with several feet of water reported in many areas. The fire service said they received more than 70 calls about flooding related incidents from 7pm. And as the clear up for many begins, several residents have been speaking about the dramatic events. Wendy Lyne-Ley‎ said she was involved in the evacuation of Wonford Sports Centre. She said: "Five of us wheel-chaired people to safety as the flooding was so bad and the electrics were starting to fail. We got everyone to safe ground before the fire brigade arrived. Two others kept the others calm in order for us to get the rest out. It was great team work." Andy Southard said he was caught up in the floods on Honiton Road. He said: "I had to rescue two ladies trapped in a car at the bottom of the hill. It was at least 2ft deep at this point." PCSO Sarah Giles was on duty and involved in the rescue of an elderly couple and their daughter. She said: "We were tasked with helping the immediate evacuation of an elderly couple in their 80s and their daughter from a bungalow. "The woman was a very vulnerable,frail old lady and they had water rising up through the floorboards and coming into the property. "We managed to get them out and they then spent a couple of hours at the police station. "Staff at Waitrose donated a picnic for them and a lady from the council managed to get into emergency housing in a hotel in St Thomas. "This sort of thing was happening all over. There was another disabled lady in a wheelchair that was rehoused. When you have that combination of flood water, electrics gone and it can be extremely distressing. They don't want they will be going back to. "The flood was so isolated to Exeter. You can see how bad it was in Exeter but the likes of Topsham and Budleigh didn't have any rain at all. "It was a sterling effort from everyone. The emergency services were everywhere and the highways were on it immediately. "Everyone pulled together and it was nice and refreshing to see. It was like the spirit of the blitz in Exeter last night." Elsewhere several homes were flooded. For Sarah Hookway, it was the third time her property on the main road in Pinhoe was hit by floods. "Tonight i have been completely flooded again, throughout the whole bottom level. This flood has absolutely devastated me this time. I cannot go through another year like the last, living in such poor conditions." Ladysmith Junior School was closed due to the floods. Several homes and businesses also lost power. TNT at Broadclyst were left without electricity at the height of the storm. The power cut left the building in darkness before the emergency generator kicked in. And initially the computer systems still failed to work. But the staff worked through it doing their best to ensure all deliveries and collections were not affected. Were you affected by last night's floods? You can contact us on echonews@expressandecho.co.uk

Child rapist who tried to blame his own son for attacks jailed at Exeter Crown Court

October 17, 2014, 6:23 am

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A child rapist has been jailed for 15 years after he tried to explain away DNA evidence by blaming his own son for his attacks. Terrence Tucker carried out repeated assaults on a teenaged girl which only came to light when she became pregnant and had a termination. The police obtained DNA samples which showed he was the father of the child but he blamed his own son who suffers from extreme learning difficulties, Exeter Crown Court was told. Tucker, aged 46, of Golitha Rise, Liskeard, denied four counts of rape and three of sexual activity with a child but was found guilty by a jury at Truro Crown Court last month. He was jailed for 15 years by Judge Simon Carr, sitting at Exeter, who told him his assaults have had a devastating effect on his victim. The judge said:"You were convicted of the systematic abuse of a girl who you groomed and abused from the age of 12 or 13. "You started with sexual assaults to see how she would react and if you could get away with it and when she did not complain you progressed to rape, culminating in a pregnancy when she was 16. "She suffered the further emotional trauma of a termination. I saw her give evidence and it is perfectly clear she has been devastated and will be for the rest of her life. "During the trial you showed no remorse at all and I could not fail to notice that given the DNA evidence, you attempted to blame your own son for the offence, knowing he suffers from severe learning difficulties." During the case the jury heard how the offences came to light when the victim became pregnant and revealed the abuse for the first time. Mr Robert Linford, defending, said Tucker has very low intelligence and is unable to read or write. He said:"He has his own learning disabilities and is of previous good character. His inability to read and write means his sentence will be one which is unusually difficult to bear."

Exeter judge praises courage of rape victim

October 17, 2014, 6:28 am

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A Judge has praised the courage of a rape victim after a man who abused her as a child was jailed for ten years. Glen Aris groomed the girl for sex when she was just eight by buying her treats and went on to force her to take part in a range of acts with him at his Devon home. The victim felt unable to reveal what had happened to her for almost a decade and has suffered long term psychological effects from the abuse she suffered. Aris, aged 56, of Willow Avenue, Torquay, admitted rape, sexual assault, inciting a child to sexual activity and assault by penetration. He was jailed for ten years by Judge Simon Carr at Exeter Crown Court and ordered to sign onto the sex offenders' register for life. The Judge told him:"This was systematic abuse of an eight-year-old and it is clear there was extensive grooming, as was reflected in your interview where you took the very disturbing position that a girl of that age was capable of consent. "The effect on the victim must have been devastating. The effect on her is very real and will probably be with her for the rest of her life. "I would like to praise the victim for her immense courage in coming forward and I hope that the sentence having been passed, she will be able to get on with her life." Mr Tom Bradnock, prosecuting, said the offences happened around 2004 when Aris was living in Paignton and the girl was just eight. He said the sexual abuse started with touching but became more serious until it involved oral rape and digital penetration. He said:"The victim recalls Aris trying to make her feel special and rewarding her with pizza or ice cream. It is a pattern of behaviour which can be identified as grooming. "When interviewed he admitted the activity but said he had never forced himself upon the girl." Mr Kevin Hopper, defending, said Aris deserves credit for having admitted what he had done and sparing the victim the ordeal of coming to court.

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AUDIO: Tisdale reveals boost on injury front ahead of match with Southend United

October 17, 2014, 7:30 am

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Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale revealed that he had better news on the injury front ahead of Saturday's match with Southend United. Liam Sercombe, Craig Woodman and Graham Cummins should all be fit for the match at Roots Hall.

CCTV released under Caught on Camera scheme leads to conviction of Exeter mugger

October 17, 2014, 8:43 am

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An Exeter mugger handed himself into the police after CCTV of his attack was featured in the Express and Echo as part of the Caught on Camera initiative. Scott Hudson was so drunk when he robbed a cashpoint user of his mobile phone that he only realised what he had done when he saw his own image in the paper. The 23-year-old pushed victim Sam Wood into an alley in the middle of Tiverton and forced him to hand over his phone after threatening to kick or punch him. Hudson has been ordered to stay at home on a curfew for three months after he admitted the robbery, which was caught on CCTV in Bampton Street and Fore Street in Tiverton on December 28 last year. Hudson, of Pippin Close, Exeter, admitted robbery and was jailed for a year, suspended for two years, curfewed for three months, and ordered to do 200 hours unpaid community work by Judge Simon Carr at Exeter Crown Court. He was also ordered to receive 12 months supervision, pay £40 compensation for the phone and £250 costs. The Judge told him:"Those who carry out street robberies can normally expect prison sentences of some length but this falls at the lower end of the scale and although violence was used there was no injury and you did not carry a weapon. "It is clear you had drunk an excessive amount of alcohol but you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. In your case justice is best served by having a suspended sentence hanging over you." . Mr Tom Bradnock, prosecuting, said the 21-year-old victim had tried use one cashpoint machine in Tiverton after a night out but it was not working and he was on the way to another when he was approached by Hudson. He said:"He asked him for money and the request was refused. As they approached an alleyway leading to Southview Terrace Hudson pushed Mr Wood to the ground and held him down. "He made him empty his pockets and said he would kick or hit him and Mr Wood was scared and handed over his phone, which was worth £40. "Part of the incident was caught on CCTV and was publicised in the local press with the result that Hudson turned himself in. "He accepted he was out in Tiverton and said he was eight or nine out of ten on a scale of drunkenness. He had no recollection of seeing the other man until shown the CCTV." Mr Joss Ticehurst, defending, said Hudson deserves credit for handing himself in. He said:"He went to the police once he saw the CCTV and accepted he was the offender." Following the sentencing, Sgt Dave Macfadden, who spearheaded the Caught on Camera scheme, said it was a pleasing conviction. He said: "We had no other leads to go on and this case was heading towards the undetected file. "The local Caught on Camera initiative was then used by the OIC DC Stu Peters and within a very short space of time the suspect was identified and interviewed. This has now resulted in a suspended sentence. "This is exactly why we created the local Caught on Camera scheme. "Using the media and putting images of potential suspects out there to be identified we have created the opportunity to see justice done in court. "A couple of witnesses come forward and the main suspect also contacted us. A case like this vindicates the scheme. "It is pleasing, especially for the victim, who would not have got justice without the use of Caught on Camera."

Conservative MPs call for rethink on hospital bed closures

October 17, 2014, 9:03 am

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East Devon MP Hugo Swire, Tiverton and Honiton MP Neil Parish and Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon, have called on the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to rethink their proposals to close community hospital beds locally. Following a meeting at Newcourt House in Exeter with representatives from around the area, Mr Swire and Mr Parish expressed their extreme disquiet about some of the proposals. Hugo Swire said: "Whilst I recognise that local NHS services need to reflect the changing demands of the population I have come to the conclusion that it would be illogical to close all the beds at Ottery St Mary Hospital. Ottery is a growing town and, more than ever, my constituents want and need an accessible and well-resourced local hospital. If all of these beds were to close, my constituents would have to travel significant distances to reach the closest hospital, which I think is completely unacceptable." Mr Swire added: "The move seems something of a contradiction since it has recently been announced that the Exmouth and Crediton stroke services will temporarily be centralised at Ottery St Mary Hospital from November 2014. According to NHS bosses this is due to Ottery's excellent "clinical environment, space for the correct number of beds and good transport links to RD&E and the rest of Devon". It strikes me therefore that these are all good reasons to keep medical beds open indefinitely. Mr Swire concluded: "We three MPs are seeking a meeting with the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, to discuss this matter." Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton and Honiton, said: "The Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital provides an excellent service but at many times of the year there are great pressures on beds. Therefore sending patients back to Axminster would be a very good use of local resources and a good use of the community hospital. "I have asked that the clinical commissioning group put pressure on the North Devon Healthcare to not only provide hospital beds at Axminster Hospital but also to include twenty additional beds in Axminster to meet the needs of the growing population of Axminster and the surrounding villages. "There is only one more year of the contract that North Devon Healthcare has to provide services at Axminster Hospital and so these beds should not be closed. The whole provision of services at Axminster Hospital should be looked at in the new contract after October next year so that we can work with all the community hospitals in East Devon, including Seaton, Honiton and Tiverton.' Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon, said: "I am not at all convinced that the case for closing beds at Crediton hospital has been properly made. The financial data is lacking as is a clear set of proposals as to exactly what will be offered by the hospital in the event that it becomes a health hub. In short, there is no clear and compelling case for removing the beds from this hospital – they should stay."

Fundraiser in memory of Exeter favourite Chips Barber

October 17, 2014, 11:00 pm

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A charity fundraising evening is being organised by the family of the late Chips Barber who was well known throughout Devon as the author of many books about the area. February next year will mark the tenth anniversary of Chips' untimely death at the age of 55. He would have celebrated his 65th birthday next Tuesday, October 21. The charity evening on February 28, will be hosted by David FitzGerald at the Exeter Golf and Country Club, and all proceeds are going to the Devon Air Ambulance Trust. The evening will feature a Devon-themed quiz, live music and a raffle. Chips wrote more than 100 books on Devon's history, folklore, towns, people and wildlife. Born James Richard Barber, he acquired the nickname Chips as a schoolboy and eventually adopted it as his own. He wrote his first book — about the Haldon Hills — while still teaching geography and PE at Vincent Thompson School, now St Luke's. Soon a hobby became a cottage industry as he and his wife began producing and selling dozens of books about Devon and the South West from their home under the name of Obelisk Publications. Among them were two about Pinhoe itself, where Chips and his family lived from 1979. He was closely involved in village life, serving on the Pinhoe Community Association for many years. And his writing also led to a career as a broadcaster on BBC Radio Devon, presenting talks and answering listeners' Devon questions. He published his first book back in 1982 and it was called Round and About the Haldon Hills. Chips had been married to Sally for 35 years and they had three children.

Devon churches back Living Wage for workers

October 17, 2014, 11:30 pm

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Churches across Devon will be encouraged to pay the Living Wage to all employees, after members of diocesan synod – the governing body of the Church of England in Devon – agreed to sign up to the campaign. The motion was brought forward by clergy and lay people in Plymouth and was debated in the presence of Dame Suzi Leather, who praised the Church for taking the step, which she described as an important one. Martyn Goss, of the Diocese of Exeter, said: "This is a really encouraging decision which brings the Church of England in Devon in line with other churches in Britain who already support the Living Wage campaign. "It means in future all jobs associated with the diocese should be paying at least £7.65 per hour to those it employs, whether in the parishes, schools or church offices. "The move also supports actions by other employers in Devon and local groups such as the North Devon Living Wage campaign, which experiences some of the lowest pay in the country." The Archbishop of York chaired the Living Wage commission which concluded this summer after a year of taking evidence. It recommended that the government introduce a living wage higher than the current minimum wage gradually, so by 2020 one million more workers in low pay sectors earn the living wage.