AN alleged criminal gang is to face trial accused of a £290,000 crime spree - including a plot to steal a mountain of Easter eggs and the theft of a Yodel delivery van.

Six men are accused of operating as an organised outfit, based in Plymouth and connected to 33 thefts including four-wheel-drive vehicles, tractors, trailers, horse boxes, boats and farm equipment.

They were charged after detectives claimed to have uncovered a crime spree across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

Police say the alleged spree includes a Yodel transit van, taken in Plymouth last month, and the theft of thousands of pounds worth of Easter eggs.

Detectives discovered a stolen Land Rover, attached to a stolen horse box containing a quad bike and generator – also stolen – among the loot.

Officers also claimed to have detected convoys of vehicles, including stolen Land Rovers, being driven up the M5 to Somerset where they were "fenced" or broken up for parts.

Investigators say evidence from automatic vehicle number recognition cameras and from mobile phones shows how the group worked and shifted their haul.

The alleged ringleader, Daniel Small senior, 58, from Linketty Lane, Plympton, appeared in Exeter Magistrates Court on Friday on two charges of conspiracy and was released on bail.

His sons James Small, 36, of Berkshire Drive, Ford, and Daniel Small junior, 25, of Ward Place, Efford – both in Plymouth – each face five counts of conspiracy.

The pair were remanded in custody.

The Crown Prosecution (CPS) said the three members of the Small family were the "centrepiece" of the conspiracy, which is alleged to have begun last summer.

Daniel Cruickshank, 30, of Pembos Road, in Plymouth, faced one charge of burgling a dwelling belonging to a 79-year-old in Lamerton, near Tavistock, and was released on bail.

The CPS said Cruickshank was a "foot soldier" in the operation.

Police said they arrested James Small, Danny Small junior and Daniel Cruickshank at a property in Lamerton on Wednesday, March 16.

Other arrests were made after that, including Barry Stephens, 58, of South Barton Farm, Veasy Park, Wembury.

Stephens faced one count of conspiracy and 11 other charges relating to stolen goods and was released on bail.

Police claim to have found vehicles including a stolen New Holland tractor and an Ifor Williams trailer at Stephens' farm in Wembury, where he has 230 animals.

A sixth man, Stephen Benney, 31, was also arrested and faced one charge of conspiracy.

Police believe stolen vehicles and items were taken to his home at Unit 4, The Paddock, Woolavington Puriton, Bridgwater.

Benney was also released on bail after a hearing on Friday morning.

Howard Phillips, prosecuting, said the complex case, showed a conspiracy.

"The essence of a conspiracy is different people play different roles," he told the court.

"Some were roaming Devon and Cornwall stealing agricultural equipment while the older men played a different role."

No pleas were entered by any of the six, who are set to return to Exeter Crown Court for trial on April 21.

A PREDATORY paedophile from Plymouth who manipulated a vulnerable young girl into a life of "rape, filth and humiliation" has had his jail term cut on appeal.

Colin Clive Goss, 78, hid the girl in the boot of his car after she fled a care home, before effectively becoming her pimp, London's Criminal Appeal Court heard.

The sick pensioner encouraged her to have sex with other men whilst he looked on, then began to regularly rape her himself.

She made several attempt to bring what was happening to the attention of the authorities.

And those missed chances to stop Goss in his tracks were today condemned by top judge, Sir Brian Leveson.

Goss, of Stuart Road, was finally jailed for 18 years at Plymouth Crown Court on June 20 last year.

He pleaded guilty to a raft of sex offences against the girl, including three rapes and a count of aiding and abetting rape.

Today Sir Brian, Mr Justice Sweeney and Judge David Griffith Jones, reduced Goss's 18-year term of 16 years.

The court heard that the girl was subject to horrific "predatory sexual offending" at the hands of Goss after absconding from care repeatedly in the 1990s.

Several times after returning to care, she tried to tell adults about her ordeal.

She even recorded "confessions" from Goss, but he was not arrested and charged until a decade later, when she presented a dictaphone recording of his admissions.

Speaking of her suffering, the victim said she had "lost the goodness of heart from her life" and been left with only "filth and humiliation."

Sir Brian observed: "It is a very real concern that so many opportunities to bring this offender to book were missed.

"If ever there was a case in which the significance of taking allegations of sex crime seriously was evident, then this is it."

Lawyers for Goss argued that his sentence was far too long and that he should have been given a greater reward for admitting his crimes.

Allowing the appeal, Sir Brian said: "The judge was not permitted to increase the sentence by reducing the discount for pleading guilty, because he didn't admit his guilt earlier than he did".

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A FORMER mayor of Saltash accused of fraud did not use money dishonestly but rather in lieu of a pension contribution, a court heard today.

David Carter, 47, of Heskyn View, Saltash, is accused of five counts of fraud relating to his time working for an educational charity, The Learning Net.

It is alleged he employed his wife as a part time administrative assistant but the prosecution say she did not work the one-and-a-half days a week claimed.

It is also alleged he dishonestly used charity accounts to pay for golf memberships at St Mellion International Resort and for laser eye surgery.

But Carter, who was mayor of Saltash from 2005 to 2006, has argued the money was used as part of a pension contribution he was entitled to.

Joanna Martin, for the defence, put it to witnesses from The Learning Net that under the terms of his contract Carter was entitled to 5% of his salary, later rising to 10%, for a pension of his choosing.

Christopher Harris, one of the charity's founders and a trustee, said he did not recall any agreement for a golf membership to be paid instead of a pension.

But Ms Martin said company accounts, which would include the payments to the golf club, were signed off on by trustees.

Christopher Nicholls, another trustee, said he was not aware the company was paying golf club memberships until 2011 – around the time Carter and the charity parted ways.

He added although the accounts were presented to trustees after auditing from chartered accountants he would not have time to examine them in depth as he was a volunteer.

The trial continues.

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A KEBAB shop owner has been found not guilty of pushing a drunken customer into a toilet and indecently touching her.

Murat Kaya, aged 39, was acquitted of sexual assault following a trial at Plymouth Crown Court.

The jury took less than two hours to unanimously find Mr Kaya not guilty.

He had previously denied indecently touching the 24-year-old at Best Kebab on Union Street on April 24 last year.

The woman claimed Mr Kaya had pushed her into a private toilet at the back of the takeaway and indecently touched her.

Mr Kaya, however, told the two-day trial he helped the woman back to her feet after she fell, touching her only on the waist and hand.

Judge Darlow released the defendant from the dock and discharged the jury.

The woman told the court earlier this week she had requested to use the Best Kebab staff toilet as she was "desperate".

Following the alleged incident, the woman exited the premises and walked to a nearby nightclub where she was found, in distress, by a friend.

The jury were shown CCTV footage of the woman and her friend departing the takeaway before delivering its verdict.

Mr Kaya, born in Turkey, said he moved to England in 1997 and learned English at college in Exeter.

He ran a takeaway in Okehampton for more than a decade before buying Best Kebab in 2014.

Mr Kaya said he was divorced but was in a new relationship.

The court also heard he was a guitarist who took part in Turkish and Kurdish cultural events.

He was described by friends as "good-natured, hard-working and a man of integrity."

A gang from Liverpool stole almost £5,000 of high-value items from B&Q in Plymouth then went on to raid the same company in Exeter before getting caught - and carrying on their thefts while on bail.

The well organised crew distracted staff at the tills while the oldest member nonchalantly wheeled out trollies laden with pressure washers, lawnmowers and other expensive goods.

They carried on with exactly the same ploy even though they were caught three times in the space of two days when they travelled to the West Country to carry out the thefts.

Two of the members of the five strong gang are still being hunted by police but the other three have been jailed after admitting their part in the plot.

Louis Ventre, aged 53, of Shaw Lane, Prescott; Peter Atkinson, aged 37, of Rainbow Drive, Halewood; and Terence McMahon, aged 29, of Grant Road, Liverpool, all admitted conspiracy to steal.

McMahon also admitted dangerous driving and driving while disqualified and with no insurance.

Ventre was jailed for 28 months, Atkinson for 20 and McMahon for a total of 31 months by Mr Justice Popplewell at Exeter Crown Court.

He told them:"You were part of a group of men from Liverpool who travelled the country and targeted B&Q stores where you stole high value items.

"It was a well planned and practiced operation in which one person would distract the person at the tills while another would push goods in a trolley through without paying. Others kept a look out, loaded the goods into the vans or were drivers.

"Some thefts involved the removal of bar codes and hats were worn. The offences took place over a considerable period of time and a wide geographical area.

"The total value of the goods was more than £24,000 and in the midst of this two vehicles were stopped with property stolen from Plymouth and Exeter. The thefts thereafter were while you were all on bail."

Mr Nigel Wraith, prosecuting, said the conspiracy started in October 2014 and ran until April 2015 with raids in Huddersfield, Crewe, Gloucester, Exeter, Plymouth, Blackpool, Rochdale (twice), and Stockton.

The total value was £24,197 but all but £5,000 worth was recovered, either when they were stopped on their way back from Devon or when they were intercepted at the checkouts.

He said the most ambitious raids were both carried out the same day at Plymouth, where £4,750 goods were taken and Exeter where £8,787 worth was stolen.

McMahon was later arrested for an unrelated offence of dangerous driving in Liverpool when he crashed into an unmarked police car while riding a scrambler bike the wrong way round a roundabout.

Miss Felicity Payne, for Ventre, said he was drawn into the scheme in October 2014 because he wanted extra money to spend on Christmas presents.

Mr David Woods and Miss Emmi Wilson, for McMahon and Atkinson, said they had played less important roles as lookouts or drivers.

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The youngest British soldier to serve in Afghanistan was killed on leave in his home town by vodka-swigging thugs who then shook hands, a court heard today.

Popular serviceman Dave Curnow, 20, died during an alcohol-fuelled attack that was totally without provocation, a jury was told.
The victim was posted to Helmand province in March 2013 just days after turning 18 and survived a six-month tour that included several fire-fights.

But Dave was killed while catching up with friends on a night out in Redruth in Cornwall on September 20 last year when he was brutally attacked outside a takeaway.

Liam Laing, 21, of Chacewater, Cornwall, has already admitted killing the brave serviceman.

But his co-accused, Connor Hammond, also 21, of Redruth, today denied one count of murder at Truro Crown Court.

At the start of Hammond's trial a jury of five women and seven men were shown shocking CCTV of the duo shaking each others hand after leaving the victim for dead.

The court was told by prosecutors that the two men killed Mr Curnow in a "team effort" of "unnecessary violence".

Simon Laws QC, prosecuting, said the duo had already started trouble at the Cornish nightclub, The Zone, before their encounter with Dave.

Mr Laws said: "David Curnow was a solider and he was at home on leave. He spent much of the evening talking to people. He was at the club with his girlfriend.

"There was no sign of any trouble. It was a perfectly ordinary evening out. Let's look at the evening, Liam Laing and Connor Hammond had.

"They were at The Zone that night. Their time at the club was less peaceful."

The court was then shown CCTV footage of Laing and Hammond both involved in a fight in the club - with Hammond throwing a punch.

After leaving the venue, they walked around Redruth, drinking from a bottle of vodka.

Dave and his friend had left the club to get a kebab when they encountered Hammond and Laing.

The court heard that Laing and Hammond were walking behind Dave and his friend.

Mr Laws revealed that there was "banter" between Dave and his friend over the fact that Laing had taken his top off.

On CCTV, Dave was seen making a monkey gesture in a "brief and meaningless encounter".

Laing and Hammond were then seen stopping in the street and exchanging words before a fight broken out.

The court was shown CCTV which appeared to show Laing punched Dave before Hammond got him in a headlock and swung him around the street - while Laing punched him.

Dave's friend tried to intervene when the soldier was being punched on the floor but was stuck too.

Mr Laws added: "This was never going to be a fair fight - it was two against one.
It was simply Hammond and Laing assaulting a man, lying on his back."

The court head that the two went back to look at Dave's body after and later were seen on CCTV shaking hands.

Mr Laws said: "It was very much a team effort. Each participated in a joint assault intending to cause David Curnow serious harm and he died as a result."

The court heard that Dave's jaw was broken in two places and that an examination showed that one of the arteries that supplied blood to his brain was damaged.

Mr Laws added that "kicking" could have caused the damage.

The victim, who served in the 4th Batallion, The Rifles, was found unconscious on the ground following the assault at 2.45am.

He was taken by ambulance to the Royal Cornwall Hospital before being transferred to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth where he died the following day.

The trial, which is expected to last two weeks, continues.

Police have issued a warning about taking legal highs after a half-naked woman was caught on camera in Cornwall sprawled across a bench and touching herself in the middle of the day.

A video of the incident on Monday afternoon was posted to Facebook and attracted tens of thousands of views in less than three hours before it was removed.

The clip depicts the woman slumped on a bench in a Cornwall town centre, take off her trousers and underwear before performing a sex act.

Devon and Cornwall police said they received two calls from members of the public concerned for the woman's wellbeing.

Sergeant Marc Sayers said: "The person who called us described a woman who was half naked and they said she appeared to be in drink or drugs."

He said the second person described the woman falling over.

Police officers arrived at the scene, by which time the woman had placed her trousers back on.

Paramedics from South Western Ambulance Service were called and she was left in their care for medical attention.

Mr Sayers said they had not received any calls complaining of the female acting indecently and as such could not confirm if a criminal offence had been committed.

He said on information he had received about the incident that there was a "high probability of taking a New Psychoactive Substance or what are otherwise known as so-called legal highs. Alcohol does not make you lose control in this manner."

Police are reviewing the video to see if any offence has been committed.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.

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A BENEFIT cheat pocketed almost £20,000 by dishonestly claiming that her working husband was not living at home.

Former RAF servicewoman Kelly White, aged 39, told a court they were separated and he only stayed with her from time to time.

But a jury at Plymouth Crown Court only took an hour to unanimously convict the mother-of-one after a three-day trial.

Judge Ian Lawrie ordered that White be detained in a cell for more than two hours while he dealt with other cases.

But he suspended her prison sentence, saying he did not see why the defendant's daughter and grandmother should suffer.

The court heard that White was the main carer for the 80-year-old.

Judge Lawrie said: "You must appreciate that there are people on the breadline who need support. It is people like you who lend weight to the view, however ill-founded, that those people are scrounging off the state.

"If ever you are tempted to offend again, just think of the small room in which you have spent the last few hours."

White, of Barne Road, Barne Barton, wiped tears from her eyes as she was taken from the courtroom to be processed for release.

She had denied three charges of dishonestly failing to disclose a change in circumstances.

White failed to tell the authorities that she was married and sharing a home with a working man.

The court heard that the change in status affected her claims for income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit between 2010 and 2013.

Julia Cox, prosecuting for the Department for Work and Pensions, said the total amount overpaid was £19,395.

She added that White had already overpaid £1,243 and was continuing monthly repayments.

The court heard her husband was working abroad for months at a time, in places such as Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

Deni Mathews, for White, said she had not lived a lavish lifestyle.

He added that she was in debt and was the main carer of her 80-year-old mother, who lived independently in warden-controlled accommodation.

Mr Mathews said the relationship between White and her husband was not constant, comparing it to the on-off relationship of film stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

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A father-of-four has been jailed for six years for trying to rape a drunk and lost teenager late at night on a city street.
Married Vladimir Ichim, aged 54, steered the 18-year-old to a secluded dark spot and tried to have sex with her, Plymouth Crown Court heard.
She screamed and shouted and managed to fight him off near the Kings Road campus of City College Plymouth at about 5.30am.

Brazen Ichim claimed the woman willingly kissed and touched him sexually – despite being younger than his eldest daughter.
He claimed that she then asked him for £20.
But the court heard that she shouted and screamed so loudly that worried residents in Kings Road, Stoke, called the police.
Ichim, who was also drunk, was arrested near the attack, close to Monterey House.
Judge Paul Darlow said the girl was particularly vulnerable.

He told the defendant: "She was alone, drunk, lost and without any money. She told you that all she wanted to do was to get home but you seized your chance.
"You took her down a road out of sight where you intended to rape her. You did not persist, which has more to do with the victim's bravery than any moral rectitude on your part."
The court heard that the woman had become separated from friends and had lost her shoes after a night out in Plymouth.

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Groundworker Ichim, of Clifton Place, Greenbank, had denied attempting to rape the woman on September 27 last year. The jury of five men and five women took about three and a half hours to unanimously find him guilty after a week-long trial.

Romanian Ichim showed little reaction but sat with his head bowed through the hearing.
The teenager told the court through a statement that she had trouble sleeping and had suffered anxiety attacks.
She said that she was now on medication and receiving counselling from a group specialising in the care of victims of sexual offences.
The teenager said: "I used to go out every weekend but since this happened I have only been out three times and only with groups of people. I am not as confident as I used to be.
"I do not drink any more. I am fearful of strangers."

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She added that her relationship with her parents had been damaged.

The woman said that her mother felt like watching her "24 hours a day", while her father felt guilty that he had been unable to protect her.
Ali Rafati, for Ichim, said he would suffer more in prison than a British person because of his poor English.
The court heard that he had moved to this country three years ago after his circus acrobat daughter had been injured performing here.
He now faces deportation upon his release from jail, which should be in three years.

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TWO men kicked in the front door of a house and threatened the resident with a knife before making off with jewellery.

Police have just revealed details of the vicious incident which happened at the end of March at a property on River View, Saltash.

After kicking in the door at around 1.45am, one of the robbers threatened the resident – a man in his 20s – with a knife while the other searched the property.

They snatched a turquoise floral oval tin the victim told police contained jewellery which held sentimental value.

Nothing else was taken during the raid and the men immediately fled the scene.

They were described as white, between 5ft 9ins and 6ft 1ins, with facial stubble, of average build. One suspect was wearing a beige scarf, blue jeans and black trainers.

Det Sgt Tim Wright of Liskeard CID said: "We would be keen to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area of river View which would help our ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information that could assist with this investigation should email 101@dc.police.uk or call 101, quoting crime reference: CR/020147/16.

Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or reporting online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

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Ten people are currently on the most wanted list for Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall - the 10 men and women police most want to speak to in connection with a number of crimes.

Offences range from sex crime and violence to theft and conspiracy.

Some of the alleged offences were committed here in the South west while others were across the UK - but all the people pictured are believed to either be in the South west of have connections with the area.

UNKNOWN MAN

Police are looking for this man to assist with their investigations into a sex crime. His name, date of birth and location are currently unknown.

Suspect description

Sex:

Male

Age range:

30 - 35

Height:

170 - 175 cm (approx 5' 8")

Build:

Slim

Hair colour:

Brown

Hair type:

Receding

Hair length:

Short

Facial hair:

None

Ethnic appearance:

White European

TONY AGER

Tony Ager is wanted in connection with a serious assault in Cambridge on Saturday 2nd May 2015. Information is required to assist Cambridgeshire Police in his apprehension although members of the public should not seek to try to detain the suspect. It is believed that Ager may have previously fled abroad and has now returned to England. He is being actively sought in Devon and Cornwall.

Suspect description

Suspect name:

Anthony Ager

Age range:

30 - 35

Height:

180 - 185 cm (approx 6' 0")

Hair colour:

Brown

GAVIN WAYNE PHILLIPS

Police in the Devon area are seeking a 38 year old man who is wanted in connection with a series of Conspiracy to Steal (thefts) across the UK.

Gavin Wayne Phillips has committed large scale shoplifting offences, travelling the breadth of the country to commit these crimes and often using different vehicles to do so. He has been specifically targeting DIY stores and has avoided Police attempts to arrest him having failed to answer bail. He has links to the Liverpool areas but could be anywhere in the UK or abroad.

Devon and Cornwall police are proactively following a number of lines of enquiry to ascertain his current location.

Police intend to arrest Phillips, once he has been located.

Police are appealing for anyone who has Information to come forward and assist by calling Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or report online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Suspect description

Suspect name:

Gavin Wayne Phillips

Sex:

Male

Age range:

35 - 40

Height:

175 - 180 cm (approx 5' 10")

Build:

Slim

Hair colour:

Grey

Hair type:

Straight

Hair length:

Short

Facial hair:

Unshaven

Ethnic appearance:

White European

Additional information:

Gavin Phillips' usual dress is casual / workman clothing and he sometimes wears a beanie hat.

ANTHONY COLIN GRAINGER

Police in the Devon area are seeking a 37 year-old man who is wanted in connection with a series of Conspiracy to Steal (thefts) across the UK.

Anthony Grainger has committed large scale shoplifting offences, travelling the breadth of the country to commit these crimes and often uses different vehicles to do so. He has been specifically targeting DIY stores and has avoided Police attempts to arrest him having failed to answer bail. He has links to the Liverpool areas but could be anywhere in the UK or abroad.

Devon and Cornwall police are proactively following a number of lines of enquiry to ascertain his current location.

Police intend to arrest Grainger, once he has been located.

Police are appealing for anyone who has Information to come forward and assist by calling Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or report online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Suspect description

Suspect name:

Anthony Colin Grainger

Sex:

Male

Age range:

35 - 40

Height:

180 - 185 cm (approx 6' 0")

Build:

Large

Hair colour:

Dark

Hair type:

Straight

Hair length:

Short

Facial hair:

Beard

Ethnic appearance:

White European

Additional information:

Anthony Grainger's usual dress is casual clothing and a beanie hat.

ANTHONY IAN JENKINS

Police in Devon and Cornwall are seeking to locate a 22 year old male who is in breach of the terms of his release licence

Anthony Ian Jenkins failed to comply with the conditions of his release and is being sought by officers

Devon and Cornwall Police are proactively following a number of lines of enquiry to ascertain his current location

Police intend to arrest Jenkins, once he has been located

Police are appealing for anyone who has information to come forward and assist by calling Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or by reporting online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Suspect description

Suspect name:

Anthony Ian Jenkins

Sex:

Male

Age range:

20 - 25

Height:

185 - 190 cm (approx 6' 2")

Build:

Slim

Hair colour:

Blonde

Hair type:

Straight

Hair length:

Short

Facial hair:

None

Ethnic appearance:

White European

LUKE TIMMINS

Police in Devon and Cornwall are seeking to locate a 24 year old male who is in breach of the terms of his release licence.

Luke Michael Timmins failed to comply with the conditions of his release and is being sought by officers.

Devon and Cornwall Police are proactively following a number of lines of enquiry to ascertain his current location.

Police intent to arrest Timmins once he has been located.

Police are appealing for anyone who has information to come forward and assist by calling Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or by reporting online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Suspect description

Suspect name:

Luke Michael Timmins

Sex:

Male

Age range:

20 - 25

Height:

170 - 175 cm (approx 5' 8")

Build:

Medium

Hair colour:

Light brown

Hair type:

Straight

Hair length:

Short

Facial hair:

Unshaven

Ethnic appearance:

White European

DANIEL HILTON WOOD

Police in Devon and Cornwall are seeking to locate a 24 year old male who is in breach of the terms of his release licence.

Daniel Hilton Wood failed to comply with the conditions of his release and is being sought by officers.

Devon and Cornwall Police are proactively following a number of lines of enquiry to ascertain his current location.

Police intend to arrest Wood, once he has been located.

Police are appealing for anyone who has information to come forward and assist by calling Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or by reporting online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Suspect description

Suspect name:

Daniel Hilton Wood

Sex:

Male

Age range:

20 - 25

Height:

170 - 175 cm (approx 5' 8")

Build:

Medium

Hair colour:

Light brown

Hair type:

Straight

Hair length:

Short

Facial hair:

None

Ethnic appearance:

White European

STEVEN CLARKE

Police in Devon and Cornwall are seeking to locate a 57 year old male who is in breach of the terms of his release licence

Steven Clarke failed to comply with the conditions of his release and is being sought by officers

Devon and Cornwall Police are proactively following a number of lines of enquiry to ascertain his current location

Police intend to arrest Clarke, once he has been located

Police are appealing for anyone who has information to come forward and assist by calling Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or by reporting online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Suspect description

Suspect name:

Steven Clarke

Sex:

Male

Age range:

55 - 60

Height:

180 - 185 cm (approx 6' 0")

Build:

Medium

Hair colour:

Brown

Hair type:

Straight

Hair length:

Very Long

Facial hair:

Goatee

Ethnic appearance:

White European

RICHARD PHILIP YEO

Police in Devon and Cornwall are seeking to locate a 43 year old male who is in breach of the terms of his release licence.

Richard Philip Yeo failed to comply with the conditions of his release and is being sought by officers.

Devon and Cornwall Police are proactively following a number of lines of enquiry to ascertain his current location.

Police intend to arrest Yeo, once he has been located.

Police are appealing for anyone who has information to come forward and assist by calling Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or by reporting online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Suspect description

Suspect name:

Richard Philip Yeo

Sex:

Male

Age range:

40 - 45

Build:

Medium

Hair colour:

Dark

Hair type:

Straight

Hair length:

Short

Ethnic appearance:

White European

CATHERINE MICHELLE DINEEN

Police in Devon and Cornwall are seeking to locate a 23 year old female who is in breach of the terms of her release licence.

Catherine Michelle Dineen failed to comply with the conditions of her release and is being sought by officers.

Devon and Cornwall Police are proactively following a number of lines of enquiry to ascertain her current location.

Police intent to arrest Dineen once she has been located.

Police are appealing for anyone who has information to come forward and assist by calling Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or by reporting online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Suspect description

Suspect name:

Catherine Michelle Dineen

Sex:

Female

Age range:

20 - 25

Height:

150 - 155 cm (approx 5' 0")

Build:

Medium

Hair colour:

Black

Hair type:

Wavy

Hair length:

Very Long

Facial hair:

None

Ethnic appearance:

White European

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A drink driver has admitted killing a couple after ploughing into them as they walked home from a carnival.

Ryan Morrish, 27, crashed his Audi S4 into Calvin Trevena and Ann Varran as they left St Agnes Carnival on foot.

He then tried to cover up his crimes by reporting the car stolen, hiding his keys and then washing his clothes after the incident in Cornwall last August.

Morrish, of Redruth, appeared in Truro Crown Court today where he admitted two charges of causing death by careless driving whilst over the drink drive limit, and one count of perverting the course of justice.

He will be sentenced at a later date but was told by judge Mr Justice Dingemans that a custodial sentence was "inevitable".

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A bullied student has been jailed after he drew up a 'stabbing list' of his enemies and took a knife into his college.

Jimmy Ford had 20 names on his list of which his own was the last because he intended to stab himself after taking revenge on his tormentors.

He had endured a decade of abuse and snapped after fellow student nicknamed him Jimmy Savile and falsely accused him of being a paedophile.

Catering student Ford was caught with a three inch knife in his coat after another student, who had also armed himself, alerted staff.

Kye McKissock was number two on Ford's stabbing list and packed a five inch kitchen in his rucksack which he handed over to a tutor.

Ford was isolated in an office and gave up his knife after being spoken to by a 'respect officer' at Petroc College in Barnstaple.

Police found a copy of a stabbing list on his phone which he had drawn up the night before, Exeter Crown Court was told.

Ford, aged 19, of Torrington, North Devon, and McKissock, aged 18, of Silver Street, Barnstaple, both admitted possessing a knife in a public place.

Ford was jailed for 12 month in a Young Offenders' Institution and McKissock for six months by Recorder Paul Dunkels, QC.

He told Ford: "You took a knife with a three inch blade into Petroc College and had a stabbing list with 20 names on it. Your name was last on the list but the others were people who you say had been bullying you.

"You gave different explanations. You told the police you would have stabbed somebody in the leg. I consider there was a serious risk you would have used the knife at least to threaten, if not to cause injury.

"I accept you suffer from ADHD but you took a knife to college, which is a very serious matter indeed. Possession of a knife can very quickly lead to death or serious injury.

"It is a significant aggravating feature that it was on college premises."

He told McKissock his sentence was shorter because he had been responding to the threat from Ford and had offered up his knife to staff.

Sean Brunton, prosecuting, said both defendants took knives with them to the college campus on February 5 this year.

There had been a disagreement between him and McKissock over a girlfriend. McKissock alerted a tutor and handed over a knife from his back pack and Ford was then taken to an office.

He was spoken to by phone by a 'respect officer' from the college's pastoral care team and left the knife on the office table. He was arrested later and told police he armed himself in response to bullying.

Mr Brunton said:"There was a photograph on his phone of a list with 20 names entitled a stabbing list. McKissock was second on the list and Ford was bottom of it.

"Ford said he had been bullied since year three and wrote a list of names of people he wanted to stab. He said he had been wandering around the college with the knife in his pocket."

He gave contradictory accounts, saying at one stage he did not want to hurt anyone and then that he planned to stab students in the leg as they walked past.

Peter Seigne, defending, said Ford suffers from ADHD but had stopped taking his medication two weeks before the incident and his family were so alarmed about his mental state they made a doctor's appointment, but he committed the offence before it.

He said Ford never had any genuine intention of hurting anyone with the knife and armed himself because he was concerned for his own safety.

He said: "He has suffered a catalogue of bullying over many years and on prior occasions he was called Jimmy Savile and a said to be a paedophile. That is the sort of thing he had to put up with."

Brian Fitzherbert, for McKissock, said he had recently come out of foster care and is receiving help from the Empowering Lives project in Barnstaple. He only armed himself because he was scared of Ford and had no intention of using the knife.

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The region's new crime tsar has promised a rethink on plans to close police stations in the Plymouth area.

Alison Hernandez was elected as Devon and Cornwall's new police and crime commissioner tonight.

Fewer than 4,000 votes separated the Tory candidate from second-placed Labour rival Gareth Derrick, following a count that lasted several hours.

Ms Hernandez will be in charge of policing in the Westcountry for the next four years when she takes over from fellow Conservative and predecessor Tony Hogg on Thursday, May 12.

Speaking shortly after being elected, she offered new hope for closure-threatened police stations across the region.

Callington, Liskeard, Plympton, Torpoint, Looe, Launceston and Ivybridge are all earmarked for the axe as part of cost-cutting plans as the force looks to shave £29million for its budget.

But Ms Hernandez said last night: "I am delighted to have been elected.

"It has been a very close election and I congratulate my opponents, particularly Gareth, on what has been a hard fought campaign.

"But when it came to voting I am pleased that the majority of people agreed with my priorities which are, getting the best financial deal from Government for policing in Devon and Cornwall, maintaining a uniformed visible presence on our streets, helping people to stay safe online and support for victims.

"I also aim to review the closure of police stations and to improve crime reporting through the 101 service."

After a second round of voting, Ms Hernandez' total stood at 69,354 to Mr Derrick's 66,519. Jonathan Smith, for UKIP, came third with 49,659, followed by Independent Bob Spencer with 41,382. Richard Younger-Ross, for the Liberal Democrats, got 35,154 in the first round and independent William Morris, the only candidate in Cornwall, got 22,395. Official figures from the polls showed turnout was 22.8 per cent, with 294,120 votes cast in the two counties.

That was up significantly on the 2012 elections, where a dismal 15 per cent turned out to vote Conservative candidate Tony Hogg into office.

The campaign in Devon and Cornwall this year was dominated by a row over the politicisation of the role, sparked by comments earlier this year by Home Secretary Theresa May urging voters to support a Tory candidate.

Mr Hogg called this a "gross error" and later resigned from the Conservative Party in "disgust" at the way the Government has "failed" to promote the election of a successor.

He criticised the Government for ignoring the poll and said Whitehall had been paralysed by the EU referendum.

Six candidates put themselves forward to succeed Mr Hogg, who at the age of 67 and after "four careers", opted not to bid for a second term.

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A teacher has spoken of her fear she had been personally targeted after vandals attacked her car as it was parked in Plymouth, covering it with superglue and sealing the doors shut.

Student teacher Jenny Bradshaw had left her red Citroen C3 parked overnight in the city centre and when she returned to it the following afternoon she found the locks and doors had all been sealed.

The mystery attacker had even glued down the petrol cap and wiper blades in what police described as a "pointless crime against a lovely woman".

Jenny, 31, said: "I got to the car and unlocked it with my central locking and when I got to the door, I realised there was glue all over the door handle and the lock.

"It was all over the seal of the door so when I tried to open it, it wouldn't open.

"I went round to the other side and saw that the petrol cap had been glued around the seal so I couldn't open that.

"The left windscreen wiper was also glued to the windscreen and there was a big blob of glue on the front bonnet and also on the back windscreen as well."

The car was parked outside the former St John's Ambulance centre in Plymouth, Devon and police suspect the vandal struck after burgling the building and stealing the glue.

Jenny added: "I think it was unprovoked - the police said someone broke into the hall and stole glue.

"None of the other cars parked nearby were damaged so I think it was just unlucky.

"At the time I took it quite personally."

Jenny, of Kingsbridge, eventually managed to get into the 10 year-old car, worth £1,000, after her dad helped her scrape off the glue.

She has yet to tot up the cost of repairing the damage and added: "If I can use it the car without it being affected, then I won't get the insurance involved."

Police said: "Somebody has decided to damage the vehicle by super gluing the locks, petrol cap, doors, and wiper blades.

"The owner of the vehicle is a lovely person and we do not know the motive behind it.

"Pointless crimes like this can cause great upset, distress and inconvenience."

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AN alleged criminal gang is to face trial accused of a £290,000 crime spree - including a plot to steal a mountain of Easter eggs and the theft of a Yodel delivery van.

Six men are accused of operating as an organised outfit, based in Plymouth and connected to 33 thefts including four-wheel-drive vehicles, tractors, trailers, horse boxes, boats and farm equipment.

They were charged after detectives claimed to have uncovered a crime spree across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

Police say the alleged spree includes a Yodel transit van, taken in Plymouth last month, and the theft of thousands of pounds worth of Easter eggs.

Detectives discovered a stolen Land Rover, attached to a stolen horse box containing a quad bike and generator – also stolen – among the loot.

Officers also claimed to have detected convoys of vehicles, including stolen Land Rovers, being driven up the M5 to Somerset where they were "fenced" or broken up for parts.

Investigators say evidence from automatic vehicle number recognition cameras and from mobile phones shows how the group worked and shifted their haul.

The alleged ringleader, Daniel Small senior, 58, from Linketty Lane, Plympton, appeared in Exeter Magistrates Court on Friday on two charges of conspiracy and was released on bail.

His sons James Small, 36, of Berkshire Drive, Ford, and Daniel Small junior, 25, of Ward Place, Efford – both in Plymouth – each face five counts of conspiracy.

The pair were remanded in custody.

The Crown Prosecution (CPS) said the three members of the Small family were the "centrepiece" of the conspiracy, which is alleged to have begun last summer.

Daniel Cruickshank, 30, of Pembos Road, in Plymouth, faced one charge of burgling a dwelling belonging to a 79-year-old in Lamerton, near Tavistock, and was released on bail.

The CPS said Cruickshank was a "foot soldier" in the operation.

Police said they arrested James Small, Danny Small junior and Daniel Cruickshank at a property in Lamerton on Wednesday, March 16.

Other arrests were made after that, including Barry Stephens, 58, of South Barton Farm, Veasy Park, Wembury.

Stephens faced one count of conspiracy and 11 other charges relating to stolen goods and was released on bail.

Police claim to have found vehicles including a stolen New Holland tractor and an Ifor Williams trailer at Stephens' farm in Wembury, where he has 230 animals.

A sixth man, Stephen Benney, 31, was also arrested and faced one charge of conspiracy.

Police believe stolen vehicles and items were taken to his home at Unit 4, The Paddock, Woolavington Puriton, Bridgwater.

Benney was also released on bail after a hearing on Friday morning.

Howard Phillips, prosecuting, said the complex case, showed a conspiracy.

"The essence of a conspiracy is different people play different roles," he told the court.

"Some were roaming Devon and Cornwall stealing agricultural equipment while the older men played a different role."

No pleas were entered by any of the six, who are set to return to Exeter Crown Court for trial on April 21.