Residents warned after three burglaries on edge of Exeter

October 10, 2014, 12:43 am

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Police are appealing for information following a number of house burglaries near Exeter which may be connected. The first occurred sometime between Tuesday 30th September and Thursday 2nd October at a property in Bramford Speke, near Exeter. A garage at the property was entered and a 'Karakoram' mountain bike valued at £900 was stolen. Sometime on Tuesday 8th October a property at Three Horse Shoes, Cowley near Exeter was entered via an insecure front door whilst the occupant was in the rear garden. A handbag and contents were stolen. At around 3.00pm later the same day a property at Upton Pyne was entered by forcing the front door. Once inside the offender stole an Ipad and mobile phone valued at £1,000. On the morning of the burglary, many of the nearby residents had a visit from a young man selling household items door to door. He is described as a white man, aged in his 20-30s, slim build, dark hair, 5ft 9" – 5ft 10" in height, with a narrow face, thick, dark eyebrows, and a Liverpudlian accent. He was carrying a large blue holdall. Police suspect that all three burglaries are connected and they wish to identify the door to door salesman in order to eliminate him from their enquiries. Police are urging residents in the area to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity. Anyone with any information regarding these burglaries is asked to contact police on 101 quoting police reference CR/113283/14 or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or report online at www.Crimestoppers-uk.org

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Opinion: Why I donated for the Seaton Down Hoard to stay in Exeter

October 10, 2014, 2:08 am

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I recently donated to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum's Seaton Down Hoard appeal, which aims to buy the collection of over 22,000 Roman coins for the museum and to ensure they stay in a public collection in Devon. I wanted to explain why… First off I should admit some bias – I am from Exeter, I studied archaeology at university and I am a museum curator, though not of an archaeology collection and not a museum in the South West. Therefore a collection of Roman coins found near my home town and which the local museum wants to collect is the kind of thing I get very, very excited about. I gave my money to the appeal for several reasons. The first is that this is one of the largest coin hoards found anywhere across the area of the old Roman Empire, whch stretched from southern Scotland to the boarder of Egypt and Sudan. Of that whole, vast empire that lasted for hundreds of years a field in East Devon provided us with the largest collection of Roman coins. When you stop to think about that for a moment, its pretty incredible. The coin hoard will be valued by an independent panel at the British Museum. We know, however, that its value when buried was surprisingly low – the equivalent of just 4 gold coins or the pay of a worker for two years. But we just don't know the future research value. A massive find like this provides us with so many unanswered questions – who buried it? Why? Why were there so many low valve coins?! Keeping it at RAMM allows people to come back to it again and again to help answer these questions, and any others future researchers can come up with. Keeping it in a public museum in Devon also allows it to be put on display, so that people now and in the future can enjoy it. RAMM is a great museum, it won the 'Museum of the Year' Art Fund Prize in 2012, and is the best place for these coins. If the hoard isn't purchased by RAMM there's no guarantee that another museum will be able to buy it, and it faces the possibility of being brought by a private collector. If this happens there's no guarantee it will be available for the public to see ever again. The collection was presumably buried by a Devonian 1700 years ago, and I think it's right that it stays here so that future Devonians can enjoy it. Another reason I donated is because Laurence Egerton, the metal detectorist who found the hoard, did everything right. Once he realised its importance he stopped digging, and reported it to the landowner and the Portable Antiquities Scheme. This allowed archaeologists to properly excavate the site and avoid the loss of information about the find. He even slept in his car for three nights to guard the site. Dedication like that deserves the reward of seeing the coin hoard in public hands. And finally the coroner has legally declared the find 'treasure', and when do I get a chance to put my money towards buying treasure?

Breaking: Princesshay shopping centre in Exeter sold by developer Land Securities

October 10, 2014, 2:23 am

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Land Securities has exchanged contracts to sell its 50 per cent stake in Exeter's Princesshay shopping centre and surrounding properties in Exeter. The are totals 589,000 sq ft, to TIAA Henderson Real Estate, for £127.9 million. Simultaneously buy TIAA Henderson Real Estate's 50% stake in Buchanan Galleries, Glasgow for £137.5 million. This takes Land Securities' interest in Buchanan Galleries to 100%. Land Securities' existing 50% interest in Buchanan Galleries currently produces a net rental income of £7.5 million, while Princesshay produces a net rental income of £7.6 million. Buchanan Galleries currently totals 600,000 sq ft of prime retail space which is home to 90 of the best high street names including many not found anywhere else in Scotland. Retailers include Hollister, H&M, Mango, Lipsy, Thomas Sabo, Boux Avenue and John Lewis. Land Securities has planning consent for a leisure and retail extension to Buchanan Galleries, which would extend the centre to 1.2 million sq ft of retail, leisure and restaurant space in the heart of Glasgow, anchored by M&S and John Lewis. Princesshay in Exeter was developed by Land Securities in 2007 and, together with surrounding properties, is owned jointly with The Crown Estate. The award-winning scheme was designed to seamlessly integrate into the city centre. Its sensitive design with a diverse range of architectural styles respected not only existing street patterns, vistas and views, but also local heritage and its immediate proximity to Exeter Cathedral, while also strengthening pedestrian links within the city. The transaction excludes Land Securities' 50% interest in 1-11 Sidwell Street which is occupied by John Lewis. Scott Parsons, Managing Director, Retail at Land Securities, said, "These two transactions give us the opportunity to take full control in Glasgow ahead of the planned extension, while also exiting Princesshay in Exeter in line with our strategy of reshaping the retail portfolio to focus on the key themes of dominance, experience and convenience. "Our planned retail development programme, of which the proposed extension to Buchanan Galleries forms part, will create the very best shopping environments in some of the UK's top retail destinations."

Devon County Council driver cleared of sex assault on vulnerable girl

October 10, 2014, 7:53 am

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A Devon County Council taxi driver has been cleared of molesting a vulnerable teenage girl during trips to and from her special needs school. Kevin Satterley was found not guilty by a jury at Exeter Crown Court after telling a jury that any physical contact with the girl was accidental. The driver was employed by Devon County Council to take the 18-year-old girl from supported accommodation in Newton Abbot to a special school in East Devon. She alleged he touched her breasts and private parts on a daily basis during the final two weeks of last year's summer term as she sat alongside him in the front seat of his taxi. She said he also flirted with her and showed her an adult movie on a portable DVD machine which police later recovered from beneath the passenger seat. The girl, now aged 19, has special needs, an emotional age of between eight and 12, and a vocabulary of a child of about six. Satterley denied any deliberate contact with the girl and told the jury she ignored his repeated requests to sit in the back and insisted on sitting right next to him in the middle seat of his people carrier. He was found not guilty by the jury after a four day trial. Satterley, aged 48, of Redburn Road, Paignton, denied four offences of sexual assault by touching in June and July last year and was cleared of all counts. He denied any inappropriate touching. He said the girl initially say in the back seat and he had asked her to remain there, but she had insisted in sitting in the front with him, moving into the middle seat next to him when he drove a van-type VW. He said the only physical contact between them came when his elbow brushed her arm as he was driving. He said she was often fidgety and messed about in the car, moving from the middle to the window seat as he was driving. He said: "I said to her point blank I would rather she sat in the back, but she refused to do so. I treated her like any other customer. "I have never touched her deliberately. Unless you have one of these vehicles you don't realise how tight they are. If she was next to me my elbow was going to be pushing her or rubbing her arm. "I did not sexually assault her. No. It is not the truth. I was not over-friendly with her and I did not show her any pornographic films."

Exeter man denies stabbing neighbour

October 10, 2014, 7:56 am

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An Exeter man has denied stabbing a neighbour in an incident near their homes in June. Steven Ritchie, aged 57, pleaded not guilty to wounding 58-year-old Colin Johnson with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on June 28 this year when he appeared at Exeter Crown Court Ritchie, of Salutary Mount, Exeter, was remanded in custody and the case was adjourned for a trial later this year.

Breaking: Motorcyclist airlifted to hospital after collision with lorry near Exeter

October 10, 2014, 8:50 am

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A motorcyclist has been seriously injured in a collision with a lorry near Exeter. Air ambulance crews and police are on the scene of the collision which has blocked the road both ways in Kenton. Emergency services were called at 4pm to the scene between Red Lodge and Swans Nest roundabout. A379 in Kenton is closed and queuing traffic in both directions near the road for Kenn junction, because of the accident involving a lorry. The collision has been described as a head on collision. The male motorist is believed to have suffered serious leg injuries. A police spokesman said: "There was a head-on collision between a motorcyclist and an HGV. The motorcyclist has suffered a serious leg injury. "We are advising people to avoid the area at present. There are substantial tailbacks in both directions and the road is currently blocked in both directions." "Diversions will be in put in place."Updates as we have them

Woman with learning difficulties jailed for stealing from carers

October 10, 2014, 9:03 am

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A woman with learning difficulties has been jailed after 'mean' thefts from carers and friends. Natalie Butters, aged 24, who is originally from Hatherleigh in North Devon, was living in supported council accommodation in Newton Abbot where she was receiving 24 hour care. She was jailed after she stole from carers and Good Samaritans who tried to help her and broke the rules of her care regime by going missing from her home and abusing alcohol and drugs. The police were called to a series of incidents and on one occasion she managed to take out a £100 payday loan which she spent on drugs within hours, Exeter Crown Court was told. The former teenaged runaway has learning difficulties and the behavioural responses of a child and has repeatedly escaped jail in the past because of her difficulties. She was jailed by Judge Graham Cottle at Exeter Crown Court after he told her it was time from someone to grasp the nettle. He told her she must learn she is accountable for her actions. Butters, of Howards Way, Buckland, Newton Abbot, admitted two thefts and being in breach of two suspended sentences passed for previous burglaries. She was jailed for a total of 30 weeks by Judge Cottle, who told her:"The time has come for someone to grasp the nettle. The report of an experienced probation officer suggests you are aware of what you are doing and enjoy leading a risk taking life. "The conclusion that is reached is that you have never had significant consequences from your offending and it is likely to continue unless you are made fully aware of them. "The probation service say there is nothing they can offer as a community penalty. These are mean thefts." Mr David Bowen, prosecuting, said the initial offences involved stealing money from purses of staff who were caring for her and the new ones involved stealing from a couple who took Butters into their home because they were worried about her welfare. Mr Paul Dentith, defending, said Butters has the mental understanding of a child and needs help rather than punishment. He said she is currently receiving a specially tailored package of care which she would lose if she is sent to jail. Care workers Jackie Tallamy and Deborah Kelly were called by the Judge and told him there had been problems with Butters' compliance with her care plan. They said she had not committed any more offences but the police had been called over disputes with neighbours and other problems. Miss Kelly said there were continuing concerns for Butters' safeguarding after an incident in which she went to an older man's home and only became concerned about his intentions after he gave her £50 and asked her to call him Daddy. They said the care package is likely to be reduced shortly because her funding had moved from Torbay Council to Devon County Council, which was reassessing it. Butters originally comes from North Devon and was a student at Exeter College for a short time. She was the subject of a police appeal when she went missing five years ago, but was found shortly afterwards in South Devon. Since then she has been living in Torbay and Newton Abbot and the care package was put in place because of fears for her safety when she was found living on the streets.

Soldier suffering from combat stress spared jail for Exeter McDonald's attack

October 10, 2014, 4:02 pm

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A former soldier has escaped jail for an unprovoked attack after a judge heard he was suffering from combat stress after serving in Afghanistan. Robert Ford was a boy soldier who joined the army on his 16th birthday and now suffers from post traumatic stress disorder as a result of what he experienced while serving in Helmand with the Royal Corps of Signals. He was spared jail for an attack on a fellow customer in a McDonald's queue in Exeter after the judge heard how he is now working with service charities to overcome the psychological damage. Ford, aged 26, broke the jaw of student Thomas Meuse with a single punch during a petty argument in the queue at the High Street fast food shop in Exeter. Mr Meuse, from Broadclyst, was celebrating his 21st birthday when he suffered an injury which needed an operation to repair and left him unable to eat normally for six weeks. Ford, of Pinhoe Road, Exeter, admitted causing grievous bodily harm and was jailed for 12 months, suspended for a year and ordered to pay £3,000 compensation and £340 costs by Judge Elizabeth Rylands at Exeter Crown Court. She told him she was able to spare him from an immediate sentence because he has already worked with the charity Combat Stress to alleviate his post traumatic stress disorder by going on their Warrior Programme. She said: "I have read a report from Combat Stress and a pre-sentence report which set out graphically the fact that you have developed post traumatic stress disorder as a result of your very significant service in the military. "It is clear it has had a terrible impact. You understand what it feels like to be afflicted with that and have taken steps to assist yourself through the Warrior Programme, which has gone a huge way towards setting you on the path to rehabilitation. "You have continued to take advantage of this programme and gone on to support others as well. This was a serious offence but in these very exceptional circumstances I am able to suspend the sentence. "Society will be better served by your rehabilitation. You have been a very distinguished soldier who has fallen prey to the terrible effects of what you witnessed in combat." David Bowen, prosecuting, said Ford had been drinking before going to the takeaway in the early hours, where he was standing in front of the victim in the queue. They exchanged words, which were friendly at first, but then turned into a petty argument which ended in him landing a single blow to the other man's jaw. Mr Bowen said the victim, who was celebrating his birthday, went home but was in such pain he was taken to hospital where he needed an operation to mend his broken jaw. James Calderbank, defending, said Ford works and a telecoms engineer and has been struggling to save up to pay compensation for the past six months and has raised £3,500. He said he enlisted in the Royal Corps of Signals when he was just 16 and served for seven years until leaving after returning from Afghanistan in late 2011. He said he has attended the three-day Warrior Programme run by the charity Combat Stress as well as two refresher courses and has joined a support group called the Devon Military Veteran Volunteers, in which he helps others. He said the courses have helped him to stop using alcohol as a form of escape and he now only drinks responsibly in a social context. He said: "He has grown up and realised that sort of behaviour is puerile and is not going to be tolerated."

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Plans drawn up for new 12 classroom Ladysmith Junior school in Exeter

October 10, 2014, 4:09 pm

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Plans are being drawn up for a new Ladysmith Junior school in Pretoria Road. Roy Souter, acting head teacher at Ladysmith Junior said: "This is part of a scheme called the Priority Schools' Building Programme. "A few years ago eight schools in Devon were put forward and it came up in August that plans for Ladysmith Junior were going to go to consultation. "People have done surveys on site and now designs are being drawn up. "It will be up to the school's governors if they want to accept the plans and take them to parents and the local community for consultation. Mr Souter said he believed that the school had been built in the 1930s and was originally a boys' technical school. Mr Souter added: "It's an old building that has been well looked after over the years. "The playing fields will not be built on. They can't be, as a few years ago there were plans for changing rooms but because of what had been there before they could not dig down deep enough for the foundations. "There is a lot of space around the school. "The school would remain the same size, with 12 classrooms for up to 360 pupils." Richard Westlake, county councillor for Polsloe and Newtown said: "I welcome the fact that we are to get a new school and am hoping to see a really good quality school with excellent facilities and very much hope that the governing body makes sure that this happens.

Reptiles slow work on new Exeter rail station

October 11, 2014, 1:15 am

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Work on the new station at Newcourt in Exeter had to be halted because of slow worms and a common lizard.

However Devon County Council has confirmed to the Echo that it is still hoping for the work on the new station to be completed by the end of December.

There had been fears that it would be pushed back to the spring.

A spokesman for the county council said: "The site had to be cleared of reptiles and the design approval process has taken slightly longer than anticipated.

"Contractors will be on site this week and we're continuing to aim for the station platform to be built by the end of December."

The spokesman added: "The reptiles were slow worms and a common lizard. They were moved safely by qualified ecologists

The Wombles and Waitrose team up to keep Exeter tidy

October 11, 2014, 3:05 am

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THE Wombles and Waitrose are teaming up to help tidy Exeter. It is one of five special events around the country which are being organised to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the foundation of Keep Britain Tidy. On Friday, October 17 there will be a huge litter pick in Newtown and a Womble will be there to help with the organisers saying that it will probably be Orinoco. Waitrose in Gladstone Road will be providing refreshments for those joining in the litter pick and partners from the store are also lending a helping hand. Store manager, Nick Davies, said: "We are happy to help with the litter pick. "It's a really great opportunity to raise awareness and a fun way to encourage people to keep Exeter tidy." Also involved will be members of the Exeter Tidy Group, including the group's chairman, the current Lord Mayor of Exeter, Cllr Percy Prowse.

Car destroyed in Newton Abbot arson attack

October 11, 2014, 3:09 am

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FIREFIGHTERS were called to tackle a car fire in Newton Abbot on Saturday morning. The fire service received reports of a blaze in a car car park in Decoy Road at 5.20am. One fire engine from the town was sent to the scene and found a car on fire. It was severely damaged in the incident which is being treated as arson One fire appliance fron Newton Abbot station were mobilised to reports of a vehicle fire at the above location. A Fire service spokesman said: "On arrival, crews confirmed one vehicle in a car park was well alight. "Crews used two breathing apparatus sets and one hose reel jet to help extinguish the fire. "Crews requested the attendance of the police as arson was suspected."

Devon set to see slow moving, thundery showers

October 11, 2014, 3:16 am

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Devon is set to see slow moving, thundery showers today- with potentially hail. Patches of fog lingering from overnight are expected to clear as the morning progresses. Throughout the day there will be further heavy, thundery and slow-moving showers, which will also bring a risk of hail. Forecasters say there is a possibility of sunny spells in the afternoon between rain, but maximum temperatures are not expected to exceed 16C. The showers are forecast to clear away over Saturday night, with Sunday set to bring a dry morning and some sunshine. However, clouds are likely to build up towards the afternoon.

Exeter Chiefs 44 London Irish 24: Match report

October 11, 2014, 9:11 am

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Exeter Chiefs exorcised the ghosts of their defeat to Newcastle Falcons with an emphatic bonus-point victory over London Irish at Sandy Park. A try double from Damian Welch, coupled with other scores from Carl Rimmer, Henry Slade and Don Armand, ensured that the surprise 29-24 reverse at Kingston Park was quickly forgotten. Fly-half Gareth Steenson produced a flawless kicking game for a personal haul of 19 points to inflict a maiden away victory of the season on the Exiles. The visitors did bag three tries in the last 11 minutes through Blair Cowan (2) and Andrew Fenby, with Shane Geraghty converting all three plus an early penalty. But that merely added a misleading gloss to the scoreline of a game dominated by the hosts almost from start to finish. Rob Baxter made four changes to the side downed by the Falcons, and that seemed to do the trick as Exe made a promising start. In the opening minutes, they won a scrum against the head and built two good attacks, both of which were halted by fine turnover work from the Exiles. But nine minutes in, the pressure told with referee Ian Tempest – making his Premiership debut - penalising Irish for being offside at a ruck, allowing Steenson to bag three simple points. But Irish responded just two minutes later, racing up the other end before intense pressure on the line drew a penalty, which was booted by Geraghty. Exeter would not be denied though, and the recalled Rimmer - only playing due to ear infection for Ben Moon - ran a great line which was picked out by Will Chudley with a lovely inside pass for a try which was confirmed by the TMO. Steenson added the extras before setting up Slade with a cute pass minutes later to send the young centre over. Again Steenson converted to hand them a commanding 17-3 lead, and that increased to 23-3 after the Dungannon man kicked a couple of penalties. And they were not done yet – a fine run from Jack Nowell saw the England wing offload beautifully as he was tackled, sending Welch over. Steenson brought his personal tally of the half to 15 as he converted the try, and things went from bad to worse as Scott Steele came off injured and was replaced by Tomas O'Leary. Baxter's men turned around 30-3 up, but given the frenetic pace of the opening 40, the second half began in somewhat pedestrian fashion. The first 15 ticked by without incident before Chiefs started turning the screw once more and, after clever wing play by Nowell on the right, the ball was quickly shifted left for Welch to cross over again. Steenson converted, and in the blink of an eye, the hosts were at it again. A splendid jinking run from Nowell sliced through Irish's flat-footed defence, before freeing Armand to his right to gallop over. The unerring Steenson converted yet again before Irish counter-attacked, going desperately close to scoring only to be denied by some backs-to-the-wall defending. The pressure was eventually relieved by a penalty, the frustration of which proved too much for David Paice, who was sin-binned after bundling over Haydn Thomas over as he looked for a quick tap. Irish enjoyed another fine phase of play, with only a magnificent late tackle from Armand denying them a try. But his good work was undone after Chiefs botched the line-out, allowing Blair Cowan to cross over unopposed. Shane Geraghty converted, and slotted the extras just two minutes later after a fine length-of-the-field counter-attack sent Andrew Fenby under the posts. A late surge with the final play of the game saw Cowan cross over again but even 21 points conceded in the final 11 minutes could not dampen Chiefs' spirits. Exeter Chiefs: Dollman, Nowell, Slade, Hill (Whitten, 64), Jess (James), Steenson, Chudley (Thomas, 57), Rimmer (Sturgess, 66), Yeandle Taione, 66), Francis (Low, 20), Lees (Caldwell, 60), Welch, Ewers, Armand, Waldrom (Horstmann, 59) Scorers - tries: Rimmer, Slade, Welch (2), Armand . Cons: Steenson (5). Pens: Steenson (3) London Irish: Fenby, Lewington (Short, HT), Sheridan, Geraghty, Ojo, Noakes, Steele (O'Leary, 38), Court, Paice, Aulika, Skivington, Sinclair (Leo, HT), Low, Guest (Cowans , HT), Narraway Reps (not used): Stevens, Parr, Cross, Mulchrone Scorers - tries: Cowan (2), Fenby. Cons: Geraghty (3). Pens: Geraghty Referee: Ian Tempest. Attendance: 8,654

Exeter City 1 Hartlepool United 2: Match report

October 11, 2014, 9:40 am

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Exeter City fell to their first defeat in five league games as poor start to the second half saw them lose 2-1 at home to struggling Hartlepool United. The Grecians went into the match on good form and looked like they were going to extend their four-game winning run in League Two as they were the more threatening of the two sides in the first half. But Hartlepool responded after the break to steal a much-needed win, with goals from Michael Woods and Charlie Wyke. The victory, the first for the Pools under the caretaker charge of Sam Collins, was enough to lift the club out of the relegation places. City manager Paul Tisdale made four changes to the side that faced Coventry on Tuesday night. Matt Grimes and Christy Pym, having been on international duty with England under-20s in the week, started and Graham Cummins and Craig Woodman returned having come back from injuries. City had the better of the first half, but lacked a cutting edge in the final third of the pitch. Grimes, who had a scout from Nottingham Forest watching him in the stands, was the most impressive of the home players. He tested Hartlepool keeper Scott Flinders with City's two efforts on target in the first half – one from a free-kick on five minutes and the other with a rasping drive that was flying towards the right hand corner of the net from 30-yards out before it was tipped around the post. Hartlepool's best effort was also a long-range strike on 12 minutes, from Dan Jones, but Pym got two strong fists to the ball to block the shot. City responded in kind though as Grimes took the ball around Tommy Miller and hit a shot that was a foot over the crossbar. Arron Davies then fed a pass into Jimmy Keohane, but the Irish forward was denied a shooting chance by a great sliding challenge from Harrison. The second half began with Keohane heading a Danny Butterfield cross straight at Flinders, but that was about as good as it got for the home side in the early stages of the second half as their performance level dropped. Grimes, who had been so good in the first half, was quiet by his standards, and City were slow and unorganised at the back. Hartlepool's opening goal came far too easily. On 48 minutes Lewis Hawkins got to the byline and dinked a cross to the edge of the six-yard box for Michael Woods to rifle a half volley home. Oakley was then in the right place at the right time to block a Hawkins shot on the goal line as Pym's punch clear from a corner failed to clear the City box. Tisdale tried to change the flow of the game on 60 minutes as he introduced David Wheeler and Tom Nichols to the game. However, five minutes later the visitors had made it 2-0. Wyke played a quick one-two with Miller to get in on the right side of the box and then he drilled a low shot across Pym and into the left corner of the net. Minutes later Pym had to be on his toes once more to tip another Wyke shot over the crossbar as United continued to press. City were back in the match though with 11 minutes to go as Grimes delivered a free-kick to the back post where Nichols headed towards goal. Flinders blocked the effort, but Ribeiro tucked home the rebound from close range. Having provided the cross for Ribeiro's goal Grimes came to life again and hit a 30-yards drive just over the crossbar. Substitute David Noble also had an effort whistle just past the upright and Scot Bennett had a close range header go over, but the rousing comeback never materialised and City were made to rue their poor start to the second half. Exeter City (3-4-1-2): Pym; Davies, Ribeiro, Oakley, Woodman, Riley-Lowe (Nichols, 60); Butterfield (Noble, 71), Grimes; Keohane; Bennett, Cummins (Wheeler, 60). Subs not used: Hamon, Tillson, Jay, Watkins Hartlepool United (4-5-1): Flinders; Duckworth, Harrison, Austin, Jones; Miller, Bates, Woods; Wyke, Hawkins (Franks, 90), Brobbel. Subs not used: Holden, Walker, Richards, Smith, Atkinson, Green. Booked: Bates (40) Attendance: 3,547 Referee: Darren Sheldrake

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Picture: Devon cliff face turns heads at Hope Cove

October 11, 2014, 6:39 pm

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A South Devon cliff face is turning a few heads Eagle eyed spotters from Toad Hall Cottages, based in the South Hams, took this brilliant photograph which shows cliffs on the coast at Hope Cove that now have a striking resemblance of a bearded gent. The likeness was so uncanny when it was posted on social media that some claimed the picture must be edited but Toad Hall Cottages told their Facebook page: "Honestly not. He is there for all to see!" The perfect features carved out in the cliffs with greenery for hair and beard soon saw some liken him to Treebeard from the Lord of the Rings while others commented: "The old man of the woods has finally gone to the see." And names have already started rolling in for the Hope Cove giant with Cliff so far leading the suggestions.

Rogers delighted by magnificent performance from Willand Rovers in FA Cup

October 12, 2014, 2:15 am

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Willand Rovers manager Scott Rogers described his players' performance as magnificent after they came from a goal down to beat Aveley Town in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup. Rovers are the lowest ranked team through to the FA Cup fourth qualifying round following the victory. Speaking about the win player-manager Scott Rogers said: "I don't think it's really sunk in yet. We left it all out there on the field because we knew we were the lowest ranked side in the competition and in a way today was our final. "The lads were magnificent in the second half after we went in 1-0 down at half-time. "I also gave away a penalty, handball, which they missed. Sometimes when that happens you take heart from it and the relief can build confidence." Rovers rallied from Aveley's deflected goal – which looped over keeper Curtis Parkin – to respond with a double strike for Tom Bath, signed in the summer from Alphington, and former Elmore ace James Blake. Rogers said: "Tom has been coming on as an impact player and we felt it was time he had a chance from the start. Maybe it was fate, you never know. The FA Cup has a way of bringing the best out of people. "His first goal was the kind I like from a striker, just getting his toe in ahead of the keeper and centre half. "His second was a good header from a James Blake cross and then James made it 3-1 and it was effectively game over because they didn't score again until two minutes from time. "Now all of us can't wait for the draw. We know it will be tough and we are the lowest team left in but hopefully it will help put Willand on the football map. "We've had BBC Radio 5 Live on the line already and that just goes to show what an FA Cup run can do for a club like ours."

AUDIO: Paul Tisdale philosophical and not surprised by Exeter City's loss to Hartlepool United

October 12, 2014, 2:34 am

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Paul Tisdale said he was not surprised by Exeter City's 2-1 defeat to Hartlepool United on Saturday. Goals from Michael Woods and Charlie Wyke saw the Pools grab a much-needed win to lift themselves out of the League Two relegation places. City did grab a goal back through Christian Ribeiro, but having had a number of players out through injury Tisdale was not surprised by the result.

Shoplifter, 12, caught with cannabis bong and grinder

October 12, 2014, 3:13 am

≫ Next: East Devon man says he looked at images of people having sex with animals to cope with the strain of an unhappy marriage

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A 12-year-old boy carrying a drug bong was stopped by security guards in Asda at Newton Abbot on Saturday, traders in the town report. The boy was stopped on suspicion of shoplifting goods worth £15. But when he was asked to turn out the contents of his backpack staff were shocked to find the boy had a bong and grinder, commonly used for cannabis smoking. One trader said: "Everybody in Asda and all 50 stores in the town centre who are linked up to the Shopwatch security radio heard about it. "The security guards were shocked because this boy turned out to be only 12 years old and he was obviously smoking pot. "How many other kids are out there doing the same? That's my real concern."

East Devon man says he looked at images of people having sex with animals to cope with the strain of an unhappy marriage

October 12, 2014, 3:23 am

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A husband in an unhappy marriage watched extreme images of people having sex with animals to cope with the strain and found them a way of dealing with anxiety and depression, a court has heard. Richard Blackmore, 46, was found with films and images which he downloaded from the internet on two different occasions, Exeter Crown Court was told. When police seized his laptop he bought another one and downloaded more images of bestiality involving horses, cattle and dogs. Blackmore, of Mount View, Feniton, near Honiton, admitted seven offences of possessing extreme pornography and was ordered to receive two years supervision. Mr Sean Brunton, prosecuting, said Blackmore was arrested after police raided his family home in Hazelwood Close, Honiton and seized a laptop on which they found 427 still and 18 movie images showing sex with animals. His home was searched again eight months later and another laptop was found with 434 more still images. He said:"He was interviewed and said he was married and his marriage went through highs and lows. He said he looked at normal pornography and when things were very bad he looked at images of bestiality. "He said it was not for sexual gratification although he had been aroused by the normal human pornography. He said he got the second computer after the police seized the first and accessed websites to download the images." Mr Mark Jackson, defending, said Blackmore had been experiencing anxiety and depression at the time he committed the offence and is now paying for counselling to address his problems. He stressed that none of the offences involved children. He said his client had lost his job as a result of the case but handed in a reference from a former workmate and a letter from his wife. He said:"What is going to keep him on the straight and narrow is the impact this has had on his family. His wife has come to court with him but is too upset to come into the courtroom. "Her letter says he has always been a good father and husband. He is so ashamed of what he has done and what he has put his family through." Judge Graham Cottle told him:"The least said about this case the better. You entirely appreciate what you did was wrong and you are very sorry about it. "You are very remorseful and have taken steps to address the problems that underlay your offending." The Judge said he was making a supervision order because there is no programme available which deals specifically with viewing images of animals. He also made a Sexual Offences Prevention Order which allows police to monitor Blackmore's internet usage and ordered the destruction of the two laptops once family photographs have been removed and saved.