Young Exmouth man speaks out after unprovoked attack left him with four fractures in his face

November 26, 2014, 4:52 pm

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A YOUNG man from Exmouth has spoken out after an unprovoked attack left him with four fractures in his face requiring eight hours surgery, two metal plates fitted in his cheek, and a month off work. The 20-year-old retail assistant who asked for his identity to be protected, was punched in the face by a man after a night out at the Q Club at around 3.45am on Sunday, November 9. He suffered three fractures to his cheek bone and a further fracture to the bone below his eye socket, requiring two metal plates to be fitted, and four lots of stitches; in the roof of his mouth, the side of his head, the corner of his eye and under his eye lid. He has had to take almost a month off work and said he will now struggle to pay his rent and bills next month. He has spoken out in the hope anyone who knows who his attacker is will come forward, to protect anyone else from getting hurt. The victim explained how the attacker had launched at him after he tried to defend his girlfriend against another man, who had taken two unsuccessful swings at her. He said that as he tried to get his girlfriend away from her attacker, another man came at him. The incident happened close to the junction of Victoria Road and Imperial Road. Police are appealing for anyone who may have any information to contact them urgently. "We had just gone out to have a good time," he said. "We had been having a really good night until then. "After leaving the club, I saw this man, who had previously being kicking off and shouting abuse at everyone including the door staff, take two swings at my girlfriend. And as I intervened, his friend came round the corner and punched me in the face. "I just wanted to get my girlfriend away from there so we went home and I went to hospital in the morning. "The first two weeks I had trouble eating, I still do. And I'm in constant pain without painkillers still. "It's made me feel more cautious about being out late alone," he added. "Because I've been working at my place of work for less than three months I'm not paid sick pay so I don't know how I'm going to pay the bills next month. "I know it could have been a lot worse. I just don't want this to happen to anyone else." Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Southern at Exmouth Police station by calling 101 and quote crime number, CR/ 121277/14. Alternatively police can be contacted anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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Exeter Chiefs v Saracens: Match preview

November 26, 2014, 9:00 pm

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For the second time in three weeks, Exeter Chiefs are involved in a battle between two sides in the top four this weekend. Fourth-placed Saracens are in the unusual position of heading to Sandy Park on Saturday as the side lower down the table. Rob Baxter's Chiefs are second in the table after five wins in their last six league matches. They even went top for 22 hours last weekend following their 31-15 win against Wasps. Head coach Baxter hopes the challenge of consolidating their place in the higher reaches of the table brings out the best in his players. He said: "Everyone's worked very hard for this to be this big a fixture. "In the past a lot of the fixtures between ourselves and Saracens have been us aiming to climb the table and Saracens aiming to cement their top-four spot. It's a little different now because we're up there fighting and we're both fighting for the same thing for the first time. "It's pleasing for us to be in that position but what we've got to do is make sure it brings the best out of us. We've got to talk about that and see how we respond as a group." The Chiefs' win against Wasps came after they had to make a late change to the starting XV, with Ian Whitten replacing an injured Sam Hill. The centre is expected to be fit to challenge for a place this weekend, alongside fellow former Crediton youngster Jack Yeandle. The squad has also been boosted by the return of Tonga duo Fetu'u Vainikolo and Elvis Taione, while Mitch Lees is very close to making a comeback. However, Jack Nowell and Thomas Waldrom – who scored Exeter's three tries against Wasps – spent Monday and Tuesday training with England before being released back to their club. Their teammates have been preparing for another challenge against Saracens, with Mark McCall's side posing different threats to Wasps. However, Baxter said the key to the Chiefs' success this season is that they have been very consistent on getting their basics right to allow them to attack every side they have come up against. "There are little changes you have to try to make every week but what we're learning all the time is that the really important thing is that you have to get the fundamental basis of your game right week in, week out," he said. "That's probably where we had that bit more success this year. We've shown that touch more – and it only has to be a touch more season by season – consistency in our set-piece and defence. "That's allowed our attacking game to flourish without us being under the pressure of losing the forward battle, which immediately puts you under territory pressure. "If you concede some soft points you're also under pressure on the scoreboard and that damages what we want to do in attack. "We work hard on our attacking game and we like to be a good attacking side, but on a week by week basis we've looked more solid in the set-piece and more solid defensively and that's allowed us to have good foundations in every game we play. "In the games we have lost we have not lost by big scores, both (against Leicester and Newcastle in the league) were winnable. "Our foundations are one of those things we have got to remember to keep working hard on every week. Yes we address the little things that come up, but we have to keep working on the things that make our game solid."

Accrington Stanley v Exeter City: Match preview

November 26, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale has hinted that the goalkeeping jersey is still up for grabs this week. City travel to Accrington Stanley on Friday night with the goalkeeping situation one of the main selection issues. Rookie keeper James Hamon, 19, was given his first league start for the Grecians on Saturday as they beat Shrewsbury Town 3-2 at St James's Park. He ousted fellow youngster Christy Pym from the No. 1 spot, despite the fact that he had impressed enough this season to earn call-ups to the England under-20s squad on three occasions. Tisdale said that Hamon had been picked ahead of Pym as he had been out-performing his teammate in training, but added that there was no guarantee he would keep his place. "I just thought on Saturday, that Christy has had a very tiring schedule," said Tisdale "I wasn't punishing him in terms of putting him on the bench. It was just he has played a lot of football and James had out-trained Christy in the last month in training. "That happens with young players. They have periods of rapid development. "It is now not set in stone that James will play every week, but what I have got is another young footballer who has proved that he is up to league football, with lots of potential, who is competing for a place. "It is a good position to be in and it is very much to do with the type of club we are, it is very much to do with circumstances and it is very much to do with a young player, in James, who has improved very, very quickly." One player who might have to wait for his opportunity to feature for the Grecians is Ryan Harley. The 29-year-old midfielder re-joined City on loan from Swindon Town last Thursday, having had a successful three-and-half-year stint at the club between 2008 and 2011. However, with Harley's deal expected to be made into a permanent signing in January, Tisdale is keen not to rush the talented midfielder back into action early as he is struggling for match sharpness having not played a game this season. "We have signed Ryan Harley to help build and develop the team so I'm not going to take any chances with him in the first fortnight, as much as the temptation is there," said Tisdale. "I don't think he'll start against Accrington, but I will take a view on if he'll feature on Thursday. "I imagine it is highly likely he will be featuring against Burton Albion a week on Saturday, in some capacity, but this week it is 50-50. I need to be sensible on this." Tisdale is expecting a tough game at Accrington. The Grecians did win there last season after racing into a 3-0 lead inside 24 minutes. However, it was not a comfortable win as Stanley hit back with two goals to leave City hanging on for the points. And with a sloping pitch and John Coleman's return to the club this season, Tisdale is fully aware of the potential pitfalls that will face them. Tisdale said: "It is not the easiest of places to play and it is on a Friday night, with a long journey up there. "There are all sorts of traps along the way for us. We can't be complacent at all going into this game because we know that John Coleman will have his team prepped to get a result. "These games can turn on a sixpence. "There is a slope on the pitch and you get the proverbial game of two halves at Accrington. There are plenty of things we have to be wary of."

Exeter Chiefs coaches sign new three-year deals

November 26, 2014, 9:55 pm

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Rob Baxter thinks Exeter Chiefs' group of coaches are getting better all the time as they learn from new experiences. The head coach this week signed a new three-year deal to keep him at the club until 2018. And he has been joined by assistant head coach Ali Hepher, forwards coach Rob Hunter, skills coach Ricky Pellow and Mark Twiggs, the club's head of strength and conditioning. Although 41-year-old Hunter only joined last year, the other four have been working closely together since 2009, when Baxter was promoted and Hepher, 40, brought in to look after the backs. Since then the club have been on the rise, with promotion to the Aviva Premiership, making their first forays into the top-tier European competition and winning the LV= Cup last season. They have continued that momentum this term, with the Chiefs currently second in the league and top of their European and Anglo-Welsh cup pools. That has been rewarded with the new contracts, and Baxter is pleased the quintet are staying together as he thinks they can develop further to help the club improve on the pitch. "We talk a lot when we talk about recruiting players and retaining players that we don't like a big turnover of players and we like to give a group time to mature together and develop together and in a lot of ways it's very similar with coaches," said Baxter, 43, who's main coaching duty is now defence. "We'd all like to think we're better coaches this year than last year and we were better last year than the year before. "We're a relatively young coaching group, we're not guys close to retirement by any means, and we're happy to keep learning and keep developing. That works well for us as a club. "From my perspective, I'm delighted to be signing a new deal but I'm even happier it's the same group of coaches who are signing to stay here because ultimately they're the guys who probably don't get as much credit as they deserve for the success the team has because I'm the guy in the spotlight. They all work incredibly hard. "It doesn't take a genius to see how well our forwards are performing this season and were improving last season and that's down to a lot of the work Rob does. "I think our attack has developed right from the start when Ali joined us in the Championship and has developed every year since. We haven't looked like a team that wasn't prepared to attack or afraid to lose games and that's probably the single most important factor in our success in the Premiership – we've never been afraid to go out and try to win the game, and that's great for the players and given us the opportunity to win important games at our start in the Premiership. I can't speak highly enough of the work those guys do. "Ricky and Twiggsy are probably the unsung heroes in it all. They do a lot of the back room stuff. Ricky does skill development with pretty much every player at the club. He also does a lot of work with our academy but not just our senior academy here but right through to 12, 13, 14-year-olds across Devon and Cornwall – he's here, there and everywhere, the distance he covers is incredible, as is the amount of time he spends coaching. "For a long time now we've backed Twiggsy and he spends a lot of time with the players because we want them to be big and fit and strong because it's very important to us. If you look at the way we play, the metres the boys get through and our ball-in-play time in the Premiership, which is well above any other team, you can see we're a well-conditioned outfit. He brings the best out of a lot of players. "It's a group that has got a nice balance and a group that I enjoy working with. I think we get on well. We have our odd bicker – Rob Hunter doesn't like to sit between Ali and I on a matchday because he doesn't like to interrupt the bickering that goes on between us – but I think that's a good thing. "Everyone's prepared to speak their minds and everyone gets a say in what we do and hopefully everybody feels they're an important part of the success of the rugby club. "We've got a nice division of skills and time which keeps us all nice and busy but at the same time doesn't stretch anyone too thinly." Chief executive Tony Rowe said the three-year deals shows how well thought of the coaching team are. Rowe said: "I am absolutely delighted that Rob and all his coaches have agreed new contracts with the club. Together they have overseen what has been the most successful period in the club's long and distinguished history. "Not only have they brought the team out of the Championship, but in our subsequent years in the Premiership they have made us become not only a significant force within the English game, but further afield in Europe as well. "To say they have done an immense job is probably a bit of an understatement, but together Rob and his team have helped to move Exeter Rugby Club onto another level." Rowe added: "The fact that we will have them in place for the next three years at least shows how much we value their commitment to the cause. The strides we have made as a club in the last few years cannot be underestimated and much of that is down to the coaching team we have in place. "Not only have we started to win major trophies with our success in the LV= Cup last season, but we have featured in Europe's top competitions; we've blooded youngsters from our own academy set-up into the England international set-up and we've more then held our own in the Premiership "As I've said before, these are very exciting times for everyone associated with Exeter Rugby Club and I'm thrilled that we will have all of these coaches on board as we look to progress even further."

Clinton Morrison signs for Exeter City on non-contract terms until January

November 26, 2014, 9:55 pm

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Clinton Morrison's desire to keep on playing football is what has landed him a five-week deal at Exeter City, according to manager Paul Tisdale. Morrison, who scored 112 goals for Crystal Palace, signed for City on Tuesday on non-contract terms until January. The London-born striker, who could feature for the Grecians in Friday night's match against Accrington Stanley, has had a successful career, having represented the Republic of Ireland 36 times and was part of the squad that got to the last 16 of the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea. The 35-year-old has also attracted more than £6m in transfer fees during 17 years as a professional footballer. "He is still very keen to play football and that is was what appealed to me," Tisdale told Echo Sport. "You have got someone who has done very well for himself and still wants to play. "It is really warming when there are players who have had a very good career and still want to play just for the love of playing football. "He knows that we are a very small club. We are not flushed with finances, but for him it is the opportunity to continue playing. "It is similar with Matt Oakley at the moment. There is no other reason Matt keeps playing at the minute other than he wants to continue playing football and he is really enjoying it. "It is another opportunity like that and it is a win-win situation for us." Morrison has not played professionally since being released by Colchester United at the end of last season, having scored a disappointing four goals in 70 appearances for the League One club. However, Tisdale says the deal to bring Morrison to St James's Park is a good opportunity for the Grecians as they are getting an experienced goalscorer who is out to prove he is worth a permanent deal in January. He said: "It is a bit like a pre-season deal where you say to a player 'you can train with us over five weeks and we will see whether there is anything on offer for you.' "It is the same situation other than it is five weeks through to January. That is really the essence of it. It is an opportunity for us to have an extended look at him. "He's very keen to play football so he is willing to put himself out and he may end up being on the bench up at Accrington on Friday. "He is a very experienced goalscorer who would give us another option. I don't think we should expect too much because he hasn't trained or played since last season and he needs a bit of time, but it is an opportunity for him over the next five or six weeks. "There is no reason why it should harm us and if it all works out and then he will stay with us."

Chiefs opinion: Coaches contracts are well deserved

November 26, 2014, 10:00 pm

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Hot on the heels of the news that Phil Dollman has extended his Exeter Chiefs contract, the announcement that five key members of the coaching team have followed suit is fantastic for the club's supporters. The Chiefs have been on the up and up since Rob Baxter was promoted to head coach in May 2009. One of his first tasks was to bring in Ali Hepher as his assistant and together they guided the club to promotion to the top flight at the first attempt. Ricky Pellow has taken on more responsibility from his role with the club's academy over recent years, with Rob Hunter joining in April 2013 to take over responsibility for coaching the forwards from Baxter. Mark Twiggs has been with the club since 2008 but stepped up to run the strength and conditioning team in May 2012 following the departures of Paddy Anson and Dave Silvester. Together the quintet have taken the club to new heights, with last season's LV= Cup win the main highlight from the past 19 months. They have carried that on this term, with all the areas the coaches take responsibility for clearly improving from last season. The defence, which Baxter takes charge of, has been miserly this campaign – only Northampton have conceded fewer points than Exeter in the Premiership this season. The attack, where Hepher comes into his own, has seen the Chiefs score more points than any other side in the first eight games. The forwards have proved a match for any pack, with the scrum – which creaked a few times last season – shored up and more of a weapon this term. The skills work that Pellow does has been paying off with the offloading game working well to aid the attacking game plan. And the high-tempo way the Chiefs are playing requires the players to be in tip-top condition, so Twiggs and his team of fitness coaches are clearly earning their corn. With an average age of just 39, there is no reason why the group cannot go on to have a lot more success in years to come as they learn more as they go on. They are dealing with having more players away on international duty than ever before – seven have trained with or played for their country over the past month – and being able to manage the squad accordingly. And if the form of the first eight games is replicated across the remaining 14 matches of the league season, the Sandy Park outfit will find themselves back in Europe's top tier next term, which will bring more challenges for the coaching team to learn from. All the signs are very promising right now. However, another test lies in store this weekend as Saracens – well used to being in the mix come the business end of the season – arrive in Exeter. Matches between Mark McCall's side and the Chiefs in Devon have been very tight in the past three seasons. After a 33-12 win for the visitors in the 2010/11 season – making amends for Exeter's thrilling win at Vicarage Road – there has not been more than a score between the sides since at Sandy Park. Another close contest is expected this weekend as the teams battle to be as high in the table as possible ahead of the break for European action. Such has been the success so far this season that the Chiefs are guaranteed to be in the top four after this weekend, while Sarries could drop out if they lose depending on other results. Who would have thought that would be the scenario a season or two ago? Baxter and his colleagues clearly deserve their new three-year deals.

CITY OPINION: Questions on Exeter City's promotion chances return following superb victory

November 26, 2014, 11:00 pm

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On the back of a superb comeback against Shrewsbury Town, and a run of one defeat in 12 league games, the P word has been mentioned. Speaking to Paul Tisdale after the win on Saturday former Express & Echo sports editor Matt Bamsey asked if the players were now looking up towards the play-off places and plotting a promotion push. As City had just moved to within three points of seventh-placed Bury – a side let's not forget that they beat in September – it was a logical question to ask. But an audible sigh from Tisdale follows – you can hear the apprehension and caution he has towards his forthcoming answer. If he says yes, then it will heap pressure on the players and raise expectation amongst supporters. He says no and it perhaps does a disservice to the talent he currently has at his disposal and the work those players have put in over the last three months. You can forgive him for wishing the question hadn't been asked. However, City have shown they can deal with pressure. At the start of the season, they went eight games without a win and were dealing with a situation where they needed to get results. In spite of that though they managed to pick up four victories in a row in late September and early October to lift themselves into a comfortable mid-table position. They have since then managed to continue their good form despite Alex Nicholls, who played a key role as a loan player during their upturn in form, returning to Northampton Town. They have been playing without pressure for the last month and a half and been putting in some very good displays against Morecambe, Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town. In fact, the only two defeats City have suffered in the last eight games have come in matches when they were perhaps under pressure to get results – at home to then-bottom-of-the-table Hartlepool United and away at Warrington Town in the FA Cup first round. Tisdale would probably be happy for City's push towards the top seven to go unnoticed until May 2 when City sneak into the top play-off place on the back of a home victory against Dagenham & Redbridge, but that isn't going to happen. As journalists, we are always looking at the league table to see if there is a story or an angle we can highlight to get a few decent quotes. So on that note, how likely is a promotion push? Well, City have managed to climb from 24th to ninth in the table in just 12 leagues games. So with 28 games left to go this season you don't really have to stretch your imagination far to believe that City could be in the automatic promotion places by May. However, it is easier to climb up the table if your starting position is at the bottom. If City continue their current form it might take longer for them to move up places in the division purely based on the fact that the sides above them will also be winning. The fact that City have only climbed one place up the table despite not losing a league game in November highlights that. And, of course, when defeats do come along the possibility of falling a few places becomes that much higher. I have to say, looking at the play-off places now, with Shrewsbury Town, Southend United, Bury and, dare I say it, Plymouth Argyle, there are four teams capable of picking up results and staying amongst the front runners. Arguably the weakest side, in terms of squad size and budget, in the top seven is Wycombe Wanderers, but they show no sign of letting up either. However, I don't think promotion is beyond the Grecians and that is a turnaround in the way I was thinking about things at the start of this month – let alone the start of September. I think the arrival of new signings Ryan Harley and Clinton Morrison have added to my optimism. City have a talented, young side, but they lack strength in depth and experience. However, if those two signings prove as successful as the two summer additions to the squad – Christian Ribeiro and Graham Cummins – then that problem is alleviated. Unfortunately for Tisdale the questions about promotion won't be.

Two young Devon men found dead in Amsterdam hotel after 'snorting white heroin' sold to them as cocaine

November 27, 2014, 12:19 am

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Two young Devon men have died after taking drugs in Amsterdam. The unnamed men, aged 20 and 21, were found in a hotel in the Netherlands after they snorted what is believed to have been white heroin on Tuesday. The Foreign Office said it is in contact with Dutch authorities and is "providing consular assistance to the family". Dutch police spokesman Rob van der Veen confirmed the two men are from Devon, and said their bodies were found beside traces of a white powder believed to be white heroin - a type of heroin spiked with powerful painkillers. "We did a quick test to find out what kind of powder it was. It wasn't cocaine, it was an opiate - in this case, white heroin," Mr van der Veen said. "We took the sample to the Dutch forensic institute and they found out that the contents of this material is the same contents as other material that we already seized in other cases where people got sick," he added. Investigators believe the men were targeted by the same dealers linked to the death of another Briton last month. Authorities in the area are urging tourists not to buy drugs from street sellers. Pamphlets handed out to tourists warn: "The last couple of weeks several tourists were hospitalised with severe health problems after using cocaine bought on the street ... Research has revealed that the cocaine used was not cocaine but white heroin." Later this week, a post-mortem examination will confirm the time and cause of the deaths

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Crews called to collision between car and motorcycle in Exeter

November 27, 2014, 12:23 am

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Emergancy services were called to Exeter last night after a collision between a motorcycle and a car. One fire engine from Danes Castle station were sent to reports of a road traffic collision on Old Tiverton Road at 21:08 last night. On arrival crews confirmed one motorcycle and one car involved. A small amount of oil had been leaked on to the road and was dealt with by crews at the scene. Crews also made the vehicles safe before leaving the scene

New list reveals names of 'most badly behaved' boys and girls

November 27, 2014, 12:40 am

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A new list of the 'most badly behaved' names has been revealed. If you have a child named Ella, Bethany, Joseph or William, then you now have an excuse for when they are naughty - it's their name. Whereas if your child is called Jacob, Daniel, Amy or Emma, you won't need any excuses - because they are probably simply delightful. This is according to a new children's behaviour study which has come up with the names the naughtiest children are most likely to be called. It looked at the good behaviour awards and the names of more than 63,000 children. The naughtiest boys' names, in order, were: Joseph, Cameron, William, Jake, Joshua, Jamie, Lewis, Benjamin, Ethan and Luke. The naughtiest girls were (in order): Ella, Bethany, Eleanor, Olivia, Laura, Holly, Courtney, Amber, Caitlin and Jade. The best behaved girls were likely to be called (in order): Amy, Georgia, Emma, Charlotte, Grace, Sophie, Abigail, Hannah, Emily and Alice. While the best boys, also in order, were: Jacob, Daniel, Thomas, James, Adam, Harry, Samuel, Jack, Oliver and Ryan. School Stickers, which creates online stickers for teachers to award to pupils, commissioned theresearch .

Santas and elves wanted for Exmouth's annual charity dash

November 27, 2014, 12:50 am

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SANTAS, elves and other festive characters are being sought to take part in Exmouth's annual charity Santa Dash. This year the event, in aid of Christian Aid, takes place at 3pm on Saturday, December 13, in the new location of Phear Park. Entry for the 2km is £2 or £5 for the a 5km route and £1 for the treasure hunt. There will be prizes for the best costumes as well as for other categories and everyone who crosses the finish line will receive a medal. Mulled wine and refreshments will be served between 3pm and 5pm at the tennis centre. Sponsorship is optional. Participants can register on the day ahead of the events. Money raised will go towards saving the lives of newborn babies and mothers in the Third World.

Devon police "good at cutting crime" - new report

November 27, 2014, 1:30 am

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Devon and Cornwall police have won praise under a new method of checking effectiveness. Under the new HM Inspectorate of Constabulary's methods the force has been judged to be good at reducing crime and preventing offending, good at investigating offending and good at tackling anti-social behaviour. However inspectors said they had some specific concerns about the force's approach to domestic abuse. Dru Sharpling, HM Inspector of Constabulary for Wales and Western Region, , said: "Devon and Cornwall Police is effective at reducing crime and investigations are generally of a good standard and conducted in a timely manner, with robust supervision. " Partnership working is strong, with evidence of effective joint working at all levels in tackling anti-social behaviour in neighbourhoods. "The force has made impressive progress in achieving savings despite spending less on policing than most other forces at the start of the spending review and having less scope to find those savings. "The force is working well to instil ethical and professional behaviour across the force. I also have concerns that crime-recording is not as accurate as it should be." Further information on how Devon and Cornwall Police is performing can be found on HMIC's new online assessment tool, at www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/peel

Can you help? Police appeal to locate missing Devon man

November 27, 2014, 3:03 am

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Police in South Devon are appealing for help to locate a reported missing man. Police are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of Morley Petherick who has been missing from his home in Ashburton since Sunday. Morley (pictured) who is aged 25 years is described as being a white man 5'7" in height, slim build, with dark short hair and facial stubble. It is not known what he is wearing. Police are carrying out local enquires in an effort to locate him and are appealing for help from the public. Anyone who sees Morley is asked to contact police on 101 quoting police reference 650 241114.

Black Friday deals: What you need to know

November 27, 2014, 3:09 am

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Tomorrow is the new Boxing Day for people want to pick up a bargain. Black Friday is hitting our shops starting at midnight tonight with most of the major chains in Exeter following the example set by our cousins on the other side of Atlantic. Those taking part in the shopping frenzy, which is already predicted to be busier than the traditional Boxing Day sales, include the large branches of Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's. Some of the biggest discounts are expected to come on electrical goods such as TVs and computer equipment. All the major department stores are running special offers and John Lewis, which has a store on the High Street, plans to open at 8am. As ever, the department store has pledged to match any of the prices offered by its rivals. Most of its Black Friday deals will be on electrical goods. A small selection of products included in the sale are cast in shadow of the John Lewis website, but we're sure one is the Samsung Galaxy S Tab 10.5 (currently £399), while another is the Canon PowerShot S200 digital camera (currently £229). There will also be major discounts on John Lewis' own-brand HD televisions (currently ranging from £899 to £1,399), as well as a Ted Baker DAB radio and Bluetooth speaker (currently £200) and a De'Longhi coffee machine, which is currently priced at £1,029. Boots and House of Fraser are also joining in and even Apple, which is famous for keeping control of the prices on all its products will be offering discounts. Barry Williams from the CBI said stores across the country are expecting a busy day. He said: "It is no secret that it has been a demanding year for the retail industry but shopkeepers haven't been pulling their punches when it comes to getting shoppers through their doors – borne out with the lowest essential item inflation in five years and growing online sales. "We're seeing encouraging signs that pressure on family budgets is letting up, and although there is some way to go with the broader economy, there can be some optimism for retailers and customers alike as we enter the crucial run up to Christmas. "With prices under pressure and more firms adopting US-style Black Friday offers, retailers are expecting a boost and are certainly doing their best to put smiles on customers' faces and make it easy on their pockets." Ayaz Alam, Asda's senior director of general merchandise, said: "Last year we were the first major retailer to bring Black Friday to the UK. "This year, we've stepped it up a gear again and by working closely with Walmart – the godfather of Black Friday – we'll be bringing an even bigger and better sale to the UK than ever before." Tesco stores will be offering discounts of up to 70 per cent on more than 200 electrical and entertainment products, such as HD-ready TVs, games consoles and coffee machines. Rob Hattrell, Tesco general merchandise director, said he expected Black Friday to be more popular than its traditional Boxing Day sale. "Black Friday now marks the real start of Christmas shopping and Tesco is recognising this with its Black Friday sale in-store and online," he said. Tesco says it will offer £15 million of customer savings in total, which the spending frenzy beginning online and in-store from 12.01am on Friday.

PODCAST: ECFC Talk discuss Clinton Morrison, goalkeepers and the best Exeter City game in recent times

November 27, 2014, 7:53 am

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ECFC Talk is back after a two-week break to discuss all the latest news from St James's Park. This week the panel focus on Clinton Morrison's arrival, the battle for the No. 1 jersey and where the 3-2 win over Shrewsbury ranks in terms of entertainment and at City game in recent times. Listen to the show above.

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Dawlish stalker sent ex partner demand for £15,000

November 27, 2014, 8:20 am

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A stalker has been told he must end a year long campaign of harassment against his ex partner after he admitted breaking an order not to contact her. Mark White had already served a jail sentence for stalking his ex girlfriend and was banned from contacting her in any way when he sent her a letter demanding £15,000. The letter threatened to take her to court over the bill for building work he claimed to have carried out at her home in Dawlish when they were still together. The six page letter purported to be dealing with a commercial dispute and he said it was written in accordance with County Court guidelines which urge parties in disputes to try to settle them before starting proceedings. The victim saw it as a threatening letter which continued a long period of distressing harassment, Exeter Crown Court was told. White, aged 41, of Park Road, Dawlish, admitted breaching a restraining order and was jailed for six months, suspended for two years by Recorder Mr Frank Abbott. He told him:"This was a deliberate breach of the order but I accept it was within the context of you having a claim against your ex partner. "You told her of your potential claim and asked her what she thought about it. I sentence you on the basis this was a misguided, but in my view quite deliberate, attempt to put across your complaint. By its nature it was unpleasant. "It was ostensibly designed to be part of preparing a claim against her in the civil court. I take into account it was only one breach of the order and there have been no further breaches. "There is no need for immediate custody. You cannot commit any other offence. You will have this hanging over your head and if there is a repeat, you will go to prison again for much longer." Mr James Taghdissian, prosecuting, said White was forbidden to send any sort of letter as a result of a restraining order made in 2013 and made tight and unequivocal when he was jailed at Exeter Crown Court in July last year. White was jailed for ten months but when he was released he wanted to resume his commercial dispute over the building work. The order required him to send any letters through a solicitor but he could not get legal aid and sent on direct, which contained a demand for £15,000 as well as rambling writing about their relationship. Mr Taghdissian said:"She perceived the letter as containing a veiled threat. The prosecution take no view on whether there is a debt of £15,000. "The order in place at the time prohibited any form of contact, direct or indirect over his dispute with Mrs Ryder about work at Old Town Street except by a solicitor." Mr Michael Phillips, defending, said White had been trying to comply with the protocols of the Small Claims Court and there was a danger that his access to justice was being restricted by the order which he breached. He said White intends to pursue his claim for money but has no desire to harass the woman and plans to move away from the area and go to the West Midlands. He said White had been confused about exactly what he was allowed to do under the order because he had not received a written copy when he was in jail.

Exeter man is walking again 10 years after losing both his legs in horrific car crash

November 27, 2014, 8:29 am

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An Exeter man who lost both his legs in a horrific car crash is walking again 10 years on thanks to pioneering technology. Jordan Bright, 22, has been able to walk unaided after receiving state-of-the-art Genium X3 knees from the Hanger Clinic in Oklahoma. It has given him his independence back after suffering horrific injuries when he was just 11 years old. An out-of-control car mounted a kerb and slammed him against a brick wall while he was out riding his bike with his grandfather in the Midlands. Life has now changed for Jordan, who said: "I can now walk unaided and it has given me the impetus I needed to push forward. "I used to need crutches to walk and could only move about 50 metres but now I am able to walk long distances, up-and-down hills and there is no real limit to what I can do. "Since I had the operation I have not used my wheelchair at all. "Walking was tough to start with and it was a struggle to build up the muscles and my balance but I am glad I did it and now can only get stronger and better. It is nice to be on eye level and on two feet again." The accident meant he missed the first few months of secondary school and he admits he never really managed to catch up afterwards. He has done some 'weird' things since he left school, including trying to make the GB wheelchair basketball Olympic team and trying to be an actor But now he is focused and motivated and has set his sights on becoming a physiotherapist after discussing his future with his mum. Jordan said: "I am glad I have finally found something motivated to do for the foreseeable future and am in a pretty good place right now. "I have started an access course and hope to go to university next September. "I would like to work with those with disabilities as my experience should help. I knew I could help those who had similar issues to me so it ticked all the boxes." He has played wheelchair basketball for the last nine years and around six months ago started coaching the Exeter Otters team. Now he is also starting to fund raise for the Otters and the Devon Air Ambulance. The Otters are having a raffle/car boot sale on Sunday, December 7, in Torquay Town Hall, between 1pm and 4pm with all proceeds being split 50/50 between the two organisations.

Illegal immigrant living in Exeter jailed for using false passport

November 27, 2014, 8:41 am

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An illegal immigrant has been jailed for using forged documents to back up his application to stay in Britain. Kennedy Tjakuva used a cousin's identity and was found with a false passport when immigration officials raided his home in Exeter. He had come to Britain legally in 2000 on a short term visa but failed to back to Africa when it expired two years later and has been living in the country illegally ever since. He tried to regularise his status earlier this year by making a claim in a false name and attaching his own photograph to a form which he submitted in the name of his cousin Hakane Uamunika. Tjavuka, aged 37, of Polsloe Road, Exeter, admitted obtaining leave to remain in the United Kingdom by deception, possessing a passport with improper intention, and two offences of possessing false identification. He was jailed for 16 months by Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, at Exeter Crown Court. He told him the offences had to be met with a prison sentence because they undermined the integrity of the passport and immigration system. Mr David Bowen, prosecuting, said Tjakuva entered Britain in 2000 and became an overstayer when he failed to return to Namibia two years later. He said:"He asked for further leave to remain in Britain in 2010 but gave false identification details and had a false passport in the name of another man who he says was his cousin. "He had his photograph put into his cousin's passport and when this was discovered by the immigration service he was arrested and two other false documents were found at his home." Miss Emily Pitts, defending, said her client had cooperated with the police inquiry and helped them and the immigration service unravel what he had done. She said he deserves credit for admitting his guilt at the earliest stage and facing up to what he has done. Tjakuva is likely to be deported after he completes his sentence.

Woman treated for shock after horse becomes stuck in cattle grid in Exeter

November 27, 2014, 8:51 am

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A woman was treated for shock today after a horse she was riding became badly stuck in a cattle grid in Exeter. Pennsylvania Road was closed near Stoke woods at 1:30pm today after the animal became stuck. Police were requested to attend to slow down local traffic as it was further distressing the horse. The horse was released by fire crews using hydraulic cutting equipment and then removed to a nearby field to recover. Fire crews left the care of the incident in the hands of the owner.. The road has now been reopened.

City fans watch Buffy The Vampire Slayer and other Exeter facts from YouGov profiles

November 27, 2014, 8:55 am

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This month YouGov launched a new tool which profiles its survey respondents based on their interests and location. The free tool allows you to find out some surprising facts about the average person with an interest in anything from Exeter Chiefs to Ben Bradshaw. The profiles may not be the most scientific study with the data complied using only a couple of hundred people for each interest mention, however here we have a look at some of the most interesting outcomes….