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Beacon Heath neighbourhood beat officers are appealing for help from the public to catch whoever is making false 999 calls in the area. PCSO Ed Mitchell told The Echo: "Over the last few months, but with increasing frequency in the last couple of weeks, there have been numerous false 999 calls made from the payphone opposite the shops on Beacon Lane. "Those persons responsible frequently call 999 and laughing is heard by operators in the background. They then leave the handset off the hook so that operators are unable to phone back to verify if there is a concern for welfare or a genuine problem. "The local policing team would ask all residents and businesses in the area to be aware of these incidents and to pass on any information about suspicious activity to the police non-emergency number 101."

Police appeal for information to catch 999 prank callers who use Exeter payphone

Could the long-awaited swift tower on the Paris Street roundabout be about to appear? At a cost of £40,000, the tower is being paid for under the terms of a planning agreement with the nearby Jurys Inn for public art. The hotel opened in the summer of 2009. It was hoped that the tower would be unveiled this summer but there was a delay and a new date of 'early autumn' was given. Now that we are into winter, Community News made further enquiries and there has been a further delay. A spokesman for the city council has now said: "We are currently waiting to hear from the supplier and expect a response before Christmas: we will then be able to firm up on the delivery time and the likely installation date." The intention is to turn the roundabout into a wildlife haven with homes for minibeasts and nesting birds.

Further delay on Exeter roundabout swift tower plan

HAVING witnessed a substantial increase in the number of staff and students cycling to the university's campuses in 2014, up 52 per cent compared with 2013, the university's sustainability team has taken a proactive approach, working in collaboration with local partners, to highlight the importance of cycle safety and security. Alongside free cycle safety check-ups and free cycle security marking, staff and students were able to access discounted cycle lights, locks and high visibility clothing, free cycle training through collaboration with Devon County Council and tailored cycle route planning advice from Sustrans. The team also engaged directly with more than 100 cyclists as part of a cycle safety Stop and Advise scheme with support from Devon and Cornwall police and student community wardens.

Number of Exeter University staff and students cycling to campus increase by 52 per cent

A number of road closures are likely to hit Exeter and East Devon drivers at the beginning of next year as Devon County Council continues resurfacing works. The next phase in the major programme of resurfacing will be carried out in the new year as part of Devon County Council's ongoing road repairs following last winter's storms. More than £650,000 of work will be carried out on behalf of the County Council at 11 sites across the county in January and February using funding awarded to Devon from the Department for Transport. The works include Exeter's Western Way which will have one week of partial closure, Church Lane in Heavitree and Meeting Lane in Lympstone. See the full list below Resurfacing on the C783 Stag's Head to Aller Cross, Filleigh, where temporary traffic lights will be in place from 7:30am to 4:30pm from Monday 5 January to Friday 9 January. There will be overnight closures from 7pm to 7am on the A381 Brockhills to Harbertonford from Monday 12 January to Thursday 15 January. An overnight lane closure will be needed on the roundabout at Babbage Road Industrial Estate, Totnes, from 6:30pm to 6:30am from Wednesday 14 January to Tuesday 20 January. Temporary traffic lights will be in place from 7pm to 7am on the A385 Swallowfields junction to KEVICC's School, Totnes, from Monday 19 January to Wednesday 21 January. The B3212 Western Way in Exeter will be closed overnight from 7pm to 7am, from Tuesday 20 January to Tuesday 27 January. The A396 at Bickleigh Bridge will be closed overnight between 7pm and 7am, for four nights from Monday 26 January to Thursday 29 January. Temporary traffic lights will be in place overnight on the A377 in East Street, Crediton, from Wednesday 28 January to Friday 30 January. Broadpath to Clay Lane in Burlescombe will be resurfaced from Thursday 29 January to Friday 30 January. Temporary traffic lights will be in place from 9am to 6pm. In February, the A3072 Mill Street, Crediton, will be closed from 7:30am to 5pm on Sunday 1 February and Sunday 8 February. Meeting Lane in Lympstone will be closed from 8am to 5pm from Monday 2 February to Friday 6 February. There will also be a daytime closure from 9:30am to 4pm on Church Lane in Heavitree, Exeter, from Friday 6 February to Tuesday 10 February. A £16 million programme of improvements is underway using the Government's Pothole Repair Funding and Severe Weather Recovery Funding, which is restoring around 120 miles of roads in Devon. The cash is not only being spent on fixing potholes, but also on drainage improvements and longer term repairs to add life and resilience to roads. Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: "Devon's road network has been badly hit by storms and flooding over the last couple of years, suffering around £24 million worth of damage last winter and £18 million the previous year. We are still dealing with the legacy of that and it has left us with a massive programme of work. It will take time, but we are working hard to restore our roads and so far this year more than 60,000 potholes have been repaired. We are ensuring that we get the best possible value for money from the additional funding the Government has provided." All of these schemes will be carried out by Glendinning Contracting, and dates are subject to weather conditions. More than £6 million of repairs has so far been carried out across Devon as part of the extensive programme. This has included resurfacing on the A3052 at Clyst St Mary, B3181 Uffculme, A3072 Windmill Road in Holsworthy and A377 in Crediton. Patching has been carried out on the B3172 Seaton Down Hill in Seaton and A379 Shaldon Bridge, Teignmouth, while there have also been drainage improvements in Culmstock, Lapford, Yarcombe, Pinhoe and Parracombe.

Commuters to be hit by road closures across Exeter and East Devon as Council continues resurfacing works in the New Year

A DRINK driver placed an 80mph "missile" on a busy residential road in Exeter before causing an horrific crash that left a mother - travelling with her two young sons - with serious injuries. Shane Skinner has been warned he faces jail after he admitted causing a serious injury by dangerous driving on Pinhoe Road. He also pleaded guilty to drink driving. And his reckless actions have been condemned by a leading police officer who said it was miraculous no-one was killed. Sgt Richard Newton, of the serious collision investigation unit in Exeter, described it as the most shocking piece of driving he has come across during 20 years in the job. The victim, a 32-year-old woman from Woodbury, spent five weeks in hospital after the crash and the court heard she suffered serious leg and facial injuries and her sight may be permanently damaged. Skinner was more than twice the drink drive limit when he lost control and ploughed at high speed into her people carrier on a busy Sunday afternoon in May. Her two young children, aged and two and four, were looked after by strangers at the scene but remarkably walked away relatively unharmed. Sgt Newton, who was the lead investigator in the case, said: "It does not get any more severe than this. It was an appalling piece of driving on an urban 30mph section of road with houses either side. It was a nice sunny Sunday afternoon with families just out enjoying themselves. "Skinner, driving the way he did, then decides to place a missile in the middle of that. In doing so, everyone in that area was placed in potential danger. "Had he not hit the woman he did, I have no doubt he would have hit something or somebody else. He was so out of control and she just happened to be there. "It turned out that one woman was very severely injured. But purely down to luck no-one was killed and miraculous is not too strong a word to use for that outcome. It was remarkable given the level of damage and that the children in particular were not more severely injured. "We have all seen other incidents that have been a lot less severe on the surface where people have lost their lives." Exeter magistrates court heard Skinner, 42, of Widgery Road, Exeter, has two previous drink drive convictions. Prosecutor Chris Bittlestone said Skinner was speeding at 80mph in a 30mph limit and lost control and careered over the road and caused a 'substantial collision' which left a young mum with very serious injuries. District Judge Stephen Nicholls sent Skinner to the crown court in Exeter to be sentenced in January and he was released on bail. The victim did not want to comment on the guilty verdict. But he previously revealed the crash has resulted in months of intensive rehabilitation, physiotherapy and further operations after breaking 10 bones. And she said she felt "incredibly lucky" to be alive after being told by emergency services it was a miracle anyone survived the crash. She said she was especially grateful that her sons, aged two and four, who were passengers in the vehicle, walked away relatively unharmed. She said: "Words cannot describe how I feel about my boys pretty much walking away. It makes it a lot easier to live with being temporarily disabled. "The emergency services said to me they don't understand how it was possible anyone was still alive having looked at the state of my car. It is a miracle my boys were not more seriously hurt." The collision involved a white Subaru Legacy and a red Vauxhall Agila close to the Whipton Village shops. The woman said she was travelling to meet a friend when her life changed in an instant. She said: "I remember pretty much nothing about what happened. It was all over in a split second and my only memory for about a week was another car coming towards my windscreen. "But even my boys came off relatively unscathed physically, only time will tell if there are any emotional issues to deal with as they both remained conscious the whole time and remember the whole ordeal. "This included seeing their mum trapped and covered in blood fading in and out of consciousness." The victim was flown by air ambulance to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth and was eventually transferred to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. "When I eventually woke up, I was traumatised and did not know what happened or where I was," she said. "I did not know where my children were. "My family had to explain everything that happened. "All I wanted to know was if my children were ok. I had gone to Derriford and they went to the RD&E. "I had two massive black eyes, a broken nose, two broken legs and was smashed to pieces. I did not want my children to see me like that so I didn't see them for a week and a half." The woman also said she wanted to thank everyone who helped her and her children on the day and during her recovery.

Exeter police condemn drink driver who caused horrific crash by placing 80mph

Devon dog walkers are being warned of 'baited' pet treats left in a popular exercise zone. The dog treats, left with fishing hooks inside them, have been placed on the tidal road at Aveton Gifford, near Kingsbridge, where many locals and visitors walk their dogs. A Facebook warning has been poster via the village's community page. It urges others to look out for the 'baited' hooks and to keep their dogs away. The post reads: "All dog walkers please be aware that I found what appear to be some sort of animal treat/pellets on large fish hooks on the ground by the bench on the tidal road (at the point where the road crosses the creek) "I found three in total, surrounded by the same pellets without hooks. Unfortunately my dog found them first (fingers crossed he is ok). I did have a good look but there may be more."

Warning to dog walkers after dog treats with fish hooks inside them found at popular Devon exercise spot

An Exeter vicar has warned the Church of England could be extinct in less than 40 years as ageing worshippers die. The Reverend Simon Austen, of St Leonard's Church, said figures showed the average age of Anglican churchgoers has increased by around 20 years over the past two decades to above 60. He predicted that if the pattern continued the Church would struggle to exist by around 2050, and described the situation as "concerning". He said: "You might say it's very 'doom and gloom', which it is, but that's a worst case scenario. All the research over the past 20 years shows a huge decline; and that the pace of the decline is slowing, but the decline is still there." Speaking to members of his 650-strong congregation, Rev Austen said parishes were "increasingly" joining together as they faced challenges of generating enough money to pay clergymen and to maintain ancient buildings. He added that, although there were "pockets of life and hope", some churches had "no young people whatsoever". Rev Austen, 47, who has been ordained for 20 years, said: "The next five years are going to be crucial. The gospel doesn't change, but we must think creatively about new ways to communicate this timeless message." His warning comes after the Bishop of Truro, the Right Reverend Tim Thornton, said "radical changes" were needed to halt the Church's decline. Rev Austen also warned that the Church may split over internal disagreement on issues of human sexuality. According to a motion passed in 1987, the Church's official position on sexuality is that intercourse outside marriage, including homosexual acts, is "to be met with a call for repentance". A statement released from a College of Bishops meeting in September included an objective for those with differing views of sexuality to "live together" and "share together a place of common baptism and faith". But Rev Austen claimed a "significant proportion" of orthodox believers would not be able to accept that there were two "equally valid" views for Christians to hold. He said: "It would be impossible for the Church of England to continue in its present form if one part of it preached repentance and the other preached acceptance in this area. It would, in effect, be a different gospel, re-defining that which relates to salvation. "The most likely scenario will be either an attempt at two integrities, or a managed separation of the orthodox and the revisionists." Rev Austen admitted that many gay people in recent years had felt "unwelcomed and unloved" by Christians. He stressed that there should be a distinction between attitudes towards sexual orientation and sexual behaviour. He said: "Same sex attraction is no different to any other attraction someone might have. The issue is holiness not homophobia. How we behave is very relevant, whether heterosexual or homosexual. "Because we've not been clear historically, we've turned a blind eye to sin and have not treated those struggling with same sex attraction well enough. For that we must hold up our hands and repent. "We must stand firmly alongside such people under what is a very fast moving change in our culture and church on these very issues."

Exeter vicar says Church of England could be extinct in less than 40 years due to ageing worshippers

A charity committed to helping the survivors of human trafficking has held a celebration evening in Exeter. Restore provides support to women freed from modern-day slavery with an aim to 'rebuild the life intended'. The charity held an event at the River Church recently in which it raised more than £1,700 for its work locally. During the evening a vision was shared to support women that have been trafficked through daily life-skills development, building positive relationships and accessing therapy. Faye Gould, who started the project, said: "Modern slavery is a growing problem in the UK and thousands of lives are affected by it each year. "We have been able to set up the project and have offered long-term support and accommodation to two survivors so far. "In 2015 we are aiming to support another 15 survivors. Our current survivor has said that now she is receiving support from us it is the first time she can smile in seven years." The charity was started in 2012 and is one of the first of its kind in the country. More than 100 Devon & Cornwall police officers were involved in a raid in Plymouth in September that rescued eight men and arrested eight on grounds of human trafficking. Last year over 2,744 people were rescued from slavery in the UK. Statistics indicate that up to 50% of these will be re-trafficked in the next two years. A charity spokesman added: "Survivors of trafficking often experience severe depression, anxiety, flash backs and mistrust of others. "Many also lack life-skills such as healthy living, managing a home and money, speaking English and job skills. It is because of this that they are vulnerable to being re-trafficked and there is a huge lack of support available to them nationally."

Exeter charity Restore raises £1,700 to help survivors of human trafficking

Devon and Cornwall police have suspended the three Exeter police officers facing manslaughter charges after the death of city church caretaker Thomas Orchard. Today the CPS has announced the charging decision in relation to the death. Mr Orchard, who suffered from schizophrenia, had been restrained while in a cell and lost consciousness half an hour later, eventually slipping into a coma. He died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on October 10. Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer said: "Our thoughts are with the family of Thomas Orchard at this difficult time. "The two-year long investigation that has followed has been difficult for all of those involved. "The case was subject to an immediate referral to the IPCC by the Force and has been independently conducted by them since 2012. The Force and all officers and staff involved have fully co-operated with investigators from the IPCC and, latterly, the Health and Safety Executive throughout their investigation." Mr Sawyer added: "We note the decision announced by the CPS today, regarding the Police Officer and two members of Police Staff to be charged with criminal offences. No further criminal action will be taken against three further officers and a contractor who was working within the custody centre. "As a result of being charged a decision has been made that the officer and two members of staff have been suspended and this will be continually reviewed. "We will continue to give appropriate welfare support to those officers and staff concerned. "We also await further information from the CPS regarding any potential corporate proceedings against the Force. In due course a report will be produced by the IPCC which will provide us with an opportunity to understand if there are any lessons to be learned which have not already been addressed by the Force." Mr Sawyer added: "Devon and Cornwall Police take 25-30,000 people into custody each year and we remain committed to ensuring that they remain safe and receive a high standard of care from us."

Thomas Orchard case: Devon and Cornwall Police respond to charges after death in custody

Postmen and women in Exeter have expressed fears for their safety as a result of street lights being turned off in parts of the city. They have taken their worries to Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw, saying they fear a fatal accident could happen in the dark. Devon County Council's money-saving decision to switch of street lights between midnight and 5.30am affects Alphington, St Thomas, Cowick, Exwick, Duryard and Pennsylvania. The letter to Mr Bradshaw from Darren Rowbotham, health and safety representative for the CWU's Western Counties Branch,said delivery staff in Exeter have expressed concern about the impact of the street light move. He wrote: "It means they are now starting their day in complete darkness, which is hazardous enough, but will be much worse in wintry weather. "Street lighting is there for a reason and as such turning it off or even dimming it could have serious implications. "We believe the decision to turn off the street lights has lead to an increase in the "fear factor" among our staff and residents of Exeter. "Street lighting improves safety for our drivers, bicycle riders and pedestrians many of which walk to work in the dark using mobile phone to light the walkway ahead. "Another fear is now that the weather is changing and getting colder without street lights this journey will be a greater hazard for the delivery staff with black ice, snow, wind and rain all adding to an already hazardous journey? "A tragic example of these risk becoming a reality is the death of a Bedfordshire student who died having been hit by a taxi last December. At the inquest, the Coroner ruled that a lack of street lighting had materially contributed to his death. "We feel councils should only reduce lighting if they are sure that it will not lead to an increase in accidents or put personal safety at risk which is something we feel strongly has not happened in Exeter and fear fatal accidents may arise from the darkness. "While appreciating the difficult task faced by local authorities in dealing with such swingeing cuts to budgets, there must be a balance between reducing expenditure without creating an increased risk to the general public. "Other councils are investigating the possibility of achieving costs savings by switching to modern LED street lighting. Whilst upgrading the street lighting this will bring in electricity cost savings in the medium to long term." Ben Bradshaw said: "Devon County Council's Exeter street light switch off has been a disaster from the start. It must now be reviewed. Local councillors and I have been inundated with complaints from residents. "Now, local postmen and women and Royal Mail management have raised serious safety concerns. They start work in the dark and, if we get wintry weather, will face additional hazard. They are quite right to call on the council to introduce energy saving technology instead. This is what we've called for from the start and the council has still not explained why it won't do it."

Exeter postal workers say they fear for safety as street lights turned off

Devon and Cornwall Police in are appealing for witnesses to a serious assault on an elderly male which occurred in Exminster on Thursday 11 December between 6.15pm and 7pm. Police said the victim, who remains in hospital, was approached by a man or group of men who asked him what was in his shopping bag before assaulting him and stealing money from the victim. One of the suspects is described as having a blue tattoo on his hand or forearm. Sergeant Mark Ruston, Neighbourhood Sergeant for the area said: "The exact circumstances of this assault currently remains unclear as the victim remains in hospital. It is very unusual for an offence of this nature to occur in an area like Exminster. The incident has caused serious injuries to what is a vulnerable and elderly gentleman and has, as expected, caused upset to him and his family. "We are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or if this reminds anyone of something they may have seen before or after the incident that evening. In the meantime we will be conducting extra patrols in the Exminster area to give further reassurance to the community." Police would also like to identify and speak with two young men who helped the victim shortly after the offence took place. If anyone has information please call the police on 101 quoting crime reference CR/129578/14, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Appeal after elderly man left in hospital after serious assault in Exminster

This morning the CPS has announced that three officers will face manslaughter charges following the death of Exeter man Thomas Orchard two years ago. Reporter Tom Bevan looks at the background of the church caretaker who had been working to put his troubled life behind him shortly before he died. AFTER starting work as a church caretaker, Thomas Orchard made a simple but poignant request to his family. "To us he was always Tom growing up," recalled his brother Jack. "All of a sudden he wanted to be known as Thomas. It was his way of re-inventing himself and putting his troubled past behind him." For many years, the 32-year-old had struggled with mental illness, drugs, and homelessness. But in the weeks before his death, Thomas was the happiest he had been in his adult life. "He loved his job at St Thomas Church, and practically lived there. Religion and the church were his life. He had developed a lot of meaning and structure and was becoming more and more independent." Living a normal life had been a constant battle. As a child Thomas was "always different" according to his family, but he had a passion for football and climbing. "He was a very quiet child," said his mother Alison. "He was not rebellious but had an alternative way about him and was always a bit quirky." At school Thomas struggled with dyslexia. "Sadly in his teenage years he got into drugs, and as a consequence into trouble with the police," said Alison. "By the time he was 18 we started to realise he had mental health problems. He became very withdrawn at that point and quite dark." He then withdrew from family life and made himself homeless, living on the streets of Exeter. Alison said: "That was extremely upsetting. He always had a home and we never moved away. Then every few weeks he would turn up – not looking good. "He was first sectioned at the age of 21 and eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia." Thomas spent a year in the Cedars Unit at Wonford House where his condition levelled out. "They managed to sort out his medication and he became a lot more capable and independent. "As a child he was always very interested in religion and the spiritual side of life. While at Wonford he started to go to the chapel. "When he was ready to go back into the community he went to Seabrook House on Topsham Road, and one of the biggest challenges was finding him a church. That is how he ended up at St Thomas." Despite the improvement in the days leading up to his death, Thomas had suffered a relapse. There was understood to be some issues with his medication, and considerations were being made to re-section Thomas on the day he was arrested. He had been in church that morning as part of his caretaking role. Jack said: "We don't quite know why but he ventured into the city centre and was acting strangely. He was arrested for a public order offence. "It all happened in such an amazingly short period of time. He left church at 10.50am and was arrested 20 minutes later. He effectively died half an hour later." After her son spent a week in an induced coma, Thomas's mother Alison had to make the heartbreaking decision to remove his life support. But that marked just the start of their painful journey. "The Thomas we said goodbye to on October 10 was just a shell," she said from her Crediton home. "When we arrived at the hospital, I went to his bedside, but he was not really there. To me, he really died on October 3 in that police cell. "We want justice for Thomas and we want the truth. I am more concerned with finding out what happened than finger-pointing and blame. We need to understand what went wrong so people can learn from it."

Family reveal Thomas Orchard was trying to

THE mother of an Exeter man who died in police custody has revealed the whole family were "shaking" when they were told three officers were to be charged with manslaughter. The Crown Prosecution Service made the announcement this morning after a lengthy investigation into the death of church caretaker Thomas Orchard. Thomas, 32, was arrested for a public order offence in Exeter city centre and restrained in a cell at Heavitree Road police station. He went into a coma and died a week later at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. His family have battled for answers since and the announcement over the charges is the most significant development yet. And Thomas' mum Alison, speaking to the Echo from her Crediton home, said it has left the family shocked but "hugely relieved." She said: ""We were told via a telephone call to our solicitor at 11.15am yesterday so had a little bit of notice. "We genuinely had no idea what it was. I was shocked but only because it did come out the blue. We were not expecting to hear before Christmas. "We are very pleased that it will go to court. I am pleased it is going to have a public focus and be under public scrutiny. "We have only ever wanted the full truth to come out and for the process to be robust, truthful and honest. It has been a long wait. "There are obviously still outstanding matters such as the corporate liability that we will continue to keep a close watch on. "But there is a huge relief from the family that we have at least reached a landmark as it were. The landscape of my life is a lot clearer now. I hadn't known what was ahead of me and did not know what the future would bring." "We had no idea what was going to happen. Whether it would go straight to inquest, whether charges would be brought, or the nature of those charges. "We were left in limbo and it has been really tough. It is going to continue to be very tough and we are going to be in the public eye which is never easy. But at least it feels like we are finally moving somewhere. "We genuinely don't have any outcome in mind. We just want the truth to come out and want it to be aired honestly and publicly. "As a family we have all been pretty shaky since we heard. I was shaking as I did not know what we would be told. "This has made our Christmas lighter. We had been expecting to get an announcement in early January, and it would have felt heavier with this hanging over us. "I also must say we really feel very grateful to a lot of people. What we have been dealing with is an extraordinary situation and we have had enormous support from a lot of people. Obviously friends and family, our solicitor Beth Hanley, and the charity INQUEST who have really been there for us and helped us navigate through such unchartered territory."

Family of Exeter man who died in police custody welcome manslaughter charges

A celebrity falconer's media career is in ruins after he forged an animal passport for his Golden Eagle so he could appear on the BBC' Alan Titchmarsh show. Jonathan Marshall was seen by millions of viewers flying alongside the eagle Samson in a microlight but the moment of glory was to be short lived for both man and bird. Marshall has been banned from keeping large birds of prey and made subject of a suspended jail sentence after a Judge branded him as 'dishonest and very criminal'. He has been ordered to forfeit Samson the Eagle but Exeter Crown Court was told the six-year-old giant bird is dead, apparently shot by a gamekeeper in August 2013, a month after police started their investigation. Marshall, aged 46, is one of Britain's best known falconers, running displays at country shows and stately homes all over Britain. He is now bankrupt and his remaining birds have been transferred into the ownership of his girlfriend, who employs him to organise shows. The highlight of his career was his appearance on the Alan Titchmarsh show (below) in January 2013 but he has also featured on the BBC's Countryfile. He was hired for the show after hitting the headlines in 2012 when Samson flew off during a display at a wedding in Berkley Castle in Gloucestershire and reappeared having made a miraculous 100 mile flight to Escot, near Honiton, Devon. By an extraordinary coincidence Marshall was being filmed at the very moment he spotted the eagle above him and his Youtube video of his tearful reunion has clocked up tens of thousands of views. The National Trust booked him to run Bird of Prey shows at its stately homes but have cancelled the deal as a result of his conviction. Marshall, of Swan Hill Road Colyton, admitted falsifying a permit for Samson under the Endangered Species regulations and keeping the eagle without the necessary registration under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Two further charges of stealing a kestrel and allowing a barn owl to escape into the wild were dropped by the prosecution. He was jailed for five months, suspended for two years, banned from keeping endangered birds of prey for five years by Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, at Exeter Crown Court. He was also ordered to forfeit Samson if the eagle is found to be alive despite Marshall's claim that he is not. The Judge told him:"You should have pleaded guilty to this months ago but you have tried to avoid responsibility for what was very criminal activity. "You forged a permit allowing you to keep Samson using a form relating to another bird, a merlin, so you could take advantage of the opportunity of good publicity by appearing on the Alan Titchmarsh show on TV. "That was all done for your own benefit. It was not something of no consequence. It was an act of considerable dishonesty. "It was forgery and dishonesty and if successful it would have driven a coach and horses through the legislation which protects the birds from which you make your living. "You also collected Samson from the Hawk Conservancy. You did not register him to your address. I regard that as a serious offence." Miss Bathsheba Cassel, prosecuting, said Samson needed special registration as an endangered species to show he had been bred in captivity and not taken from the wild. The document is called an EU Article Ten permit but when police raided Marshall's home they found it to be a forgery, knocked up on a computer using that of another bird with the details changed. She said:"In an interview with police he accepted he had modified the permit to enable him to take Samson on the Alan Titchmarsh show." She said Marshall had gone to live in Spain for a short time in 2010 and while abroad left Samson with the Hawk Conservancy. On his return in September 2011 he picked up the bird but did not take back its registration. Miss Emmi Wilson, defending, said:"My client is a professional falconer who takes great pride in making his living by flying birds and putting on performances for the public. He has a huge passion for what he does. "In terms of these offences he says he is terrible at paperwork. He saw the opportunity of getting great publicity of the Alan Titchmarsh show. Samson did have a registration. He was not trying to deceive anyone." She said the BBC had not asked to see the document and he had used the other bird's registration as a template because it contained all the details the programme asked him to supply. Miss Wilson said all the birds named in the charges are now dead. Samson is thought to have been shot in 2013 while the barn owl and the kestrel were killed by foxes. She said Marshall was not able to pay the £1,500 costs of bringing the case to court because he is bankrupt and his birds and business have been transferred into the name of his partner.

East Devon celebrity falconer faked permits to take eagle on Titchmarsh TV show

Fire crews were called to Topsham today to release two young children stuck in a car. One engine from Middlemoor fire station attended reports of children locked in a Vauxhall Zafira at Topsham Rugby Ground at 14:29 today. Upon arrival, crews found two children locked in a car, crews used small tools in efforts to release the children from the vehicle.

An amateur footballer has been banned from going out at weekends after being found guilty of a drunken sex attack on a hen party reveller. Jamie O'Loughlin was sharing a late night taxi home with the victim in Tiverton when he started molesting her and when they got out he pushed her up against a wall and put his hands up her dress. He was spared prison after a Judge was passed a sheaf of testimonials which portrayed him as a hard working family man and doting father of three children. His family sobbed with relief in the public gallery of Exeter Crown Court as Judge Erik Salomonsen announced his jail sentence would be suspended. O'Loughlin, aged 43, of Coleridge Road , Tiverton, denied sexually assaulting the woman in October last year but was found guilty at a trial last month. He was jailed for six months, suspended for a year, made subject of a weekend curfew for four months, ordered to do 200 hours unpaid community work and pay costs of £600. The Judge told him:"The victim was a mother of two who had been on a hen night in Exeter and returned to Tiverton but was not the worse for drink. She chose not to go on to a club and took a taxi home. Everything she sis was appropriate and sensible. "By your own admission you have been drinking and were six out of ten on a scale of drunkenness and had been involved in an altercation outside a pub. "In the taxi you took her wrists and pulled them onto your lap. She began to panic. She was right to do so because when she got out, so did you and instead of walking to your home you put your hand up her dress. "Clearly your hands were where they should never have been but it did not continue and she went to her home nearby and slumped on the floor in a distressed state. "A friend encouraged her to go to the police. It was not some sort of got-up charge on her part. All the evidence pointed to the truth of what she said. She acted maturely and responsibly. "She is no longer confident going out in the dark. The aggravating features speak for themselves. This was an assault on a vulnerable woman in the early hours when there was no-one present on a deserted street. "I have particular regard for the letters and testimonials which have been written by your friends and those who know you from football and work. "It is clear there is another Jamie O'Reilly; a man who is hard working, devoted to his children and family and who has acknowledged, by cutting back his drinking, that when you are drunk you behave disgracefully." Miss Bathsheba Cassel, prosecuting, said the victim had made an impact statement about the effect of the assault on her. It said she found it hard to trust people, suffers from increasing agoraphobia and is worried about going out at night. Mr Gareth Evans, defending, said his client continues to deny the allegations but has reduced his alcohol intake and is keen to receive help from probation to prevent any further offending. During the trial last month the jury head how the woman met O'Loughlin when she was with a hen party who returned to the Half Moon pub in Tiverton at around closing time. They shared a taxi home with two others who got out first and she was pushed up against a fence and groped after they got out together near their homes. O'Loughlin denied anything had happened. He also denied being so drunk he could not remember and said he had no sexual interest in the woman.

Amateur footballer banned from going out at weekends after drunken sex attack on Exeter hen party reveller

Two Devon Vodafone workers are facing jail after a nationwide operation into missing stock led to their arrests. Steven Bolton was a store manager and Qasim Ulhaq a senior sales adviser in their mobile giants store in Exeter, Devon. Bolton, 33, admitted stealing 30 phones worth £9,940 from his own Exeter branch and three more from Plymouth worth £1,245 between July and November last year. Ulhaq, 28, admitted stealing seven phones worth £2,236 from Exeter between May and November last year. Prosecutor Sonia Croft said Bolton, of Ganna Park Road, Plymouth, Devon, was a store manager and Ulhaq, of Holly Park Drive, Plymouth, a senior sales advisor and both had a 'high degree of trust' placed in them. She said Vodafone launched a nationwide investigation into missing stock and this pair were found to be stealing them and then selling them on a mobile phone website. The pair were bailed and will be sentenced in Exeter Crown Court in January

Exeter Vodafone workers face jail after stealing mobile phones from shop

A Gulf War veteran went on the attack when his girlfriend went into labour. Gareth John smashed a car park barrier as he tried to get out of a city centre car park to make the 25 mile mercy dash down to the hospital. The military engineer was caught on CCTV causing £2,098.07p damage to the car park exit barrier at the Princesshay shopping centre in Exeter, Devon, where he had been Christmas shopping. Prosecutor Sonia Croft said John, 30, of Elm Grove Road, Dawlish, Devon, was seen walking past a ticket machine and made no attempt to pay. He was then seen pushing the barrier after a paramedic pal told him that there was a quick release mechanism which they used in emergencies. John Smethurst, defending, said John had received a call during his Xmas shopping from his girlfriend to say she had gone into labour with their first child and she was heading to Torbay Hospital in Torquay. He said the ticket machine 'spat out' his unpaid ticket and he was 'concerned and excited and not thinking properly'. But the quick release on the barrier did not work and he caused the damage through his recklessness, he said. Exeter magistrates heard John is on benefits after suffering from PTSD as a result of his service with REME in the Gulf War. John told the court:"It was very stupid." The JPs ordered him to pay all the compensation to the council on top of £730 motoring fines and it will take him 12 years to pay it all off at the current £5 a week.

Dawlish man smashed Exeter Princesshay car park barrier to get to hospital after he found out his girlfriend was in labour

A teenage soccer thug called Robbie Fowler has been banned from going to watch football matches. Fowler, from Portsmouth, Hants, admitted using threatening behaviour with intent to cause violence when Portsmouth played Exeter City on the opening day of this season in the Devon city. Exeter magistrates gave the 18 year old a three month curfew order and £145 costs order for the incident which happened when the teams drew 1-1. Prosecutor Deborah Hodges said Fowler and 21 year old Tyler Newton, also from Portsmouth, 'deliberately attacked Exeter City fans' in a street near the St James Park ground. Both men, who admitted the public order offence and given the same punishments, were caught on CCTV. The court imposed a four year football banning order on the pair.

Robbie Fowler, 21, banned from football matches after causing fear of violence during Exeter v Portsmouth game

An Exeter cake shop owner says she was threatened with violence after responding to comments by Ukip leader Nigel Farage that breastfeeding mothers could "perhaps sit in a corner". Kate Shirazi, of Exeter's Cakeadoodledo, placed a 'Breastfeeding Mums Welcome' sign on her shop window asking Ukip supporters to "eat in the corner". But she chose to change the sign to say "we welcome everyone" when she received a backlash from party followers. She told the Echo: "I'm disappointed rather than surprised. It's a shame there's a level of hypocrisy about openness of discussion and the ability to say what you think." The row started when a mother was apparently asked to cover-up while breastfeeding at Claridge's hotel in London. Speaking on a radio station, Mr Farage suggested women who breastfeed in public should do so without being "ostentatious". Mrs Shirazi was sent the original poster by a North Devon man, and placed it in her shop window on Deanery Place. It read: "If you are a Ukip supporter we politely ask, for the comfort of other customers, that you eat in the corner, or in the toilet, or under a large tablecloth that we drape over you. "We're sure you understand that, when people are eating, they don't want to have to look at a complete and utter tit. Thank you." Mrs Shirazi said she put up the sign to show support for the mother and to say how "ridiculous" the Ukip leader's comments were. She said: "It's just bonkers really. We have a lot of mothers who come into the shop with their babies; it is insane that we wouldn't let them breastfeed in the shop. "The whole fiasco beggars belief and has been stirred up by Ukip." But Mrs Shirazi decided to put up an alternative sign after receiving around 100 negative comments. It read: "We got rather bored by the veiled threats sent to us, so we took half the poster away. "Unlike Nigel Farage we don't think breastfeeding mothers should be put in a corner. We've never seen anyone breastfeed 'ostentatiously'. We welcome everyone. Come in, eat cake, feed your baby. It's all good."

Exeter cake shop owner, Kate, ‘threatened with violence’ over response to Nigel Farage breastfeeding comments