Barnstaple town clerk 'appalled' at suspected arson in Castle...

July 16, 2015, 10:52 pm

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A TOWN clerk said he was "appalled" to hear that two picnic tables in Barnstaple had been set alight. Barnstaple Town Council clerk was reacting to the news that a pair of benches in Castle Green were set alight on Wednesday night. Police are investigating the matter and believe four young people may have been seen running away from the scene. Mr Austin said: "I was appalled to hear that two picnic tables in Castle Green had been set alight and destroyed, and in the process...

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Knife crime rises for first time in four years

July 17, 2015, 1:39 am

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OFFICIAL figures have revealed knife crime across England and Wales has risen for the first time in four years.Police recorded 26,370 offences in 2014/15, up from 25,974 the previous year - breaking a downward trend since 2010/11.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the increase was unlikely to be due to changes in police recording practices, reported the BBC.The ONS data suggested that police recorded crime increased by 3%, with 3.8 million offences recorded in the year ending March...

South Molton drug dealers caught by selfies on phone

July 17, 2015, 10:45 pm

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A PAIR of North Devon aerospace engineers who turned to drug dealing were caught out by incriminating selfies of themselves with their stash of cannabis.Richard Edmunds and Joshua Langmead were sharing a house in South Molton where two bedrooms were set up with growing lights and police found incriminating messages on six mobile phones.Langmead took pictures of the crop including one of his workmate Edmunds giving a thumbs-up sign as he grinned for the camera with the plants in the...

Ilfracombe father told he must choose between drugs and his kids

July 17, 2015, 10:57 pm

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A single father who was caught with drugs in his car as he drove his two children on Boxing Day has been spared jail so he can carry on looking after them.James Sowden was told by a Judge he must choose between his love of drugs and his love of his children if he wants to stay out of jail.The 25-year-old was already on bail for growing and selling cannabis when he was stopped while driving erratically through Barnstaple and found with drugs in his car.His two boys aged six and seven were with...

Croyde man charged with child sexual offences

July 18, 2015, 1:05 am

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A 20-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court charged with a series of child sexual offences.Harrison Wright, of St Mary's Road, Croyde, appeared at North Devon Magistrates' Court on Friday where he spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.He appeared in relation a series of offences which are alleged to have taken place in 2013, when Wright was 17 and 18.The charges include two counts of causing or inciting a boy aged 13 to engage in sexual activity of a non-penetrative nature, two...

Father assaults officer in cell following holiday arrest

July 18, 2015, 2:10 am

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A FATHER who suffers from anxiety attacks lashed out at police after he was arrested for a crime which he did not commit, a court has heard.Craig Field, 39, of Tuffley, Gloucester, was visiting the region for a holiday last month with his wife and children when the incident occurred.Shaun Tipton, for the prosecution, told North Devon Magistrates' Court that Field was arrested by police following reports of an assault on June 27.After he was taken to Barnstaple Police Station, Mr Tipton said...

Barnstaple man allowed "habitual prostitution" to take...

July 18, 2015, 2:14 am

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A BARNSTAPLE man has admitted allowing "habitual prostitution" to take place in his home.Peter Moule, 64, of Rackfield, Barnstaple, pleaded guilty to the charge during a hearing at North Devon Magistrates' Court on Friday.The court heard how Moule had allowed one woman to use his flat for prostitution between May 1, 2014, and May 1, 2015.He has been released on conditional bail while a pre-sentence report is prepared and will be sentenced on August 14.

Dangerous knife attacker jailed for nine years

July 18, 2015, 10:34 pm

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A DANGEROUS knifeman has been jailed for nine years for stabbing a man through the hand as he raised it to prevent him plunging his knife in his chest.Scott Cann went home and armed himself with a knife after a Boxing Night altercation with victim Shane Crews.He called him at 3am and persuaded him to meet him in a street near his home where he punched him to the ground before pulling out the knife and aiming a blow at his chest.Mr Crews raised his left hand to fend off the blow and Cann stabbed...

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Pub thug jailed for mistaken identity attack

July 18, 2015, 10:37 pm

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A DRUNKEN pub customer has been jailed for a completely unprovoked attack on a stranger who he mistook for an enemy.Christopher Margrie was so drunk at the Silent Whistle pub in Ashburton he punched out at victim Jamie Heselton and then headbutted him when he asked why he had been hit.Mr Heselton needed five stitches in a wound on his lip and still has a scar from the injury almost a year after the attack, Exeter Crown Court was told.Margrie, aged 23, of Tweenaways, Buckfastleigh, admitted...

Ilfracombe man appears in court in connection to attack

July 18, 2015, 11:00 pm

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AN Ilfracombe man has been charged with causing wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.Michael Mahendran, 25, appeared at North Devon magistrates' Court on Friday where he entered no plea to the charge.He also entered no plea to a charge of possessing a knife in a public place.Mahendran was released on conditional bail and will next appear at Exeter Crown Court on August 7.

Holsworthy man charged with burglary

July 18, 2015, 11:03 pm

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A HOLSWORTHY man has appeared in court after he was charged with one count of burglary.Andrew Yarrow, of North Road, Holsworthy, is accused of stealing a host of items from another property in North Road; including passports, a hard drive, cash, bank cards, and various pieces of jewellery.During Friday's hearing the 38-year-old spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth. He entered no plea.He has been released on conditional bail and will appear at Exeter Crown Court on August 7.

Defendent questioned about goats during court hearing

July 18, 2015, 11:05 pm

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A HEARING at North Devon Magistrates' Court took a bizarre turn after the defendant was asked about the state of Lynton's goat herd.It came after Glenn Dallyn, of Bratton Fleming, pleaded guilty to being the registered keeper of an uninsured vehicle during the hearing on Friday.Dallyn, who works for Lynton and Lynmouth Town Council, told the court that the offence related to a quad bike which was previously used on the road – but had been "out of action" for a number of months.He...

Ilfracombe man seeks "fresh start" by opening up about...

July 19, 2015, 12:09 am

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AN Ilfracombe man who was recently released from prison has come clean about a host of crimes in a bid to get a "fresh start".Marc Griffin, of Wilder Road, pleaded guilty to seven offences during a hearing at North Devon Magistrates' Court on Friday. He also asked for six additional matters to be taken into account.Tim Hook, for the defence, told the court that he hoped the hearing would act as a "clearing up exercise".He said: "He went into the police station an...

Homophobic abuse lands Bideford man with suspended prison...

July 19, 2015, 2:41 am

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AN openly homophobic man left a malicious note on his neighbour's door after a dispute, a court has heard.Terrence Shears, of Myrtle Grove, Bideford, pleaded guilty to sending the letter which conveyed a "grossly offensive" message during a hearing at North Devon Magistrates' Court on Friday.The court heard how the 53-year-old, who suffers from a rare condition known as Drop Head Syndrome, sent the letter as part of an ongoing disagreement with his neighbour.Shaun Tipton, for the...

Drink-driver banned after trying to avoid parking ticket

July 19, 2015, 2:59 am

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A TOURIST who attempted to move his car following a night out in Woolacombe to avoid a parking ticket has been banned from driving.Alistair Woods, 30, of Cassell Road, Bristol, was caught by police nearly three times over the legal limit after he parked his car.Shaun Tipton, for the prosecution, told North Devon Magistrates' Court on Friday that police officers had observed Woods driving his car in the village at around 1.55am on July 4.He said: "The defendant was seen in effect driving his...

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Managing director ordered to pay £1,800 to former partner...

July 19, 2015, 4:29 am

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A MANAGING director has been ordered to pay more than £1,800 in compensation after smashing up computer equipment belonging to his former business partner.Leon Adams, of Brookfields, Bideford, was at the offices of his former partner in Bideford, where he also assaulted her on May 8 this year.He pleaded guilty to assault and causing criminal damage during a hearing at North Devon magistrates' Court on June 12, but was only sentenced on Friday following the preparation of a full...

Son to help drink-driving father visit wife during cancer...

July 19, 2015, 5:50 am

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A DRINK-DRIVING father can continue to visit his wife as she undergoes cancer treatment at Derriford Hospital after his son stepped in to save the day.Andrew Smith, from Chilsworthy, was banned from driving for 22 months after he pleaded guilty to drink-driving on Friday.It came after the 48-year-old was involved in a collision at a set of traffic lights in Holsworthy while travelling home after visiting his wife.Shaun Tipton, for the prosecution, told the court that the victim had stopped at...

Ilfracombe teenager confronted group with knife

July 20, 2015, 5:36 am

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AN 18-year-old went home to fetch a knife after a confrontation in the streets near his home and while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, a court has heard.Brandon Woodger, 18, of Hornebrook Avenue, Ilfracombe, was seen by a witness shouting "come on then" to a man and woman on Horne Road on June 21, 2015.He then darted into his home, came back and was seen pulling out a knife with a large blade while on the other side of the road to the couple.Woodger appeared at North Devon...

Combe Martin garage attack prompts police investigation

July 20, 2015, 7:53 am

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AN investigation has been launched after damage was caused to a commercial garage in Combe Martin.The incident, which took place between 11pm on Saturday and 10.30am on Sunday, saw glass shattered on what police describe as a panelled reinforced metal garage door. Although no entry was gained to the garage, police are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident.Anyone with information can contact police on 101 and quote crime reference number CR/50113/15

Intruder faces jail after breaking into house and terrifying...

July 20, 2015, 11:24 pm

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An intruder has been warned he faces a jail sentence after he broke into a house and terrified a seven-year-old boy. Sean Day walked through the back door of the cottage at Pinn, near Sidmouth and the boy found him standing in the living room holding a kitchen knife. The owner of the house was asleep on a sofa just feet away and Day only fled after the boy called for help from his older brother. Day, 35, of Lock Close, Sidmouth, admitted burglary, taking a car without consent, and...