Plymouth

Two Somerset men have pleaded guilty on four charges of causing unnecessary suffering to two sheep and two cows.

Derek Oatley, 71, and his 68-year-old brother Terrance Oatley, of Moor Lane Farm, Draycott near Cheddar, appeared at Yeovil Magistrates Court following an investigation led by Devon and Somerset Trading Standards.

Their investigations were in response to complaints...

Devon and Cornwall police are to get £300,000 from the government to increase the practice of Restorative Justice as a punishment for some crimes.

Tony Hogg, the Police & Crime Commissioner will be given the funding over the next two years (£114,535 in 2013-14 and £185,000 in 2014-15).

Mr Hogg said: “Restorative justice is in some ways a simple subject and in some ways a...

Five Devon councils have taken legal action against their councillors for not paying council tax, nine times over the last four years.

Mid Devon, North Devon, West Devon district councils, Torridge council and Plymouth City Council have had to take action against their own members.

Councils also sent 76 first-reminders to councillors to prompt payment between 2009 and 2013....

Major damage was caused to the electricity sub station which powers three schools on the Wood View Learning Community Campus following a serious flood on Monday (18 November).

The sub station powers Woodlands School, Whitleigh Primary and Sir John Hunt Community College.

The emergency plan was triggered and parents informed immediately that the schools would not be open as...

GPs in the South West have said they are under extra pressure due to patients coming to them rather than dentists with concerns over oral health.

According to a poll conducted by ComRes, 82 per cent of GPs based in the South West believe that too many patients are turning to them for oral health advice instead of a dentist which is increasing pressure on general practices.

The...

A Devon zoo is the best in Europe for breeding some key species. And it’s partly down to its location – in Torquay.

Living Coasts is the best among top animal collections for breeding species such as African penguins, blue spotted stingrays and Inca terns. Its coastal position is one of the keys to its success.

Clare Rugg, the Living Coasts Operations Manager, explains: “The...

Retailer John Lewis is urging final year students and graduates not to miss the deadline for its 2014 graduate scheme. The scheme closes to applications on 1 December 2013.

The graduate scheme offers jobs in one of five specialities; Retail Management, Buying, Merchandising, Corporate Finance and a brand new Technology Scheme.

The graduate programmes will set graduates on a...

Missing Plymouth man Timothy Harwood has been found safe and well.

Mr Harwood was found by a member of the public in the Devonport area of Plymouth shortly after 1pm today (Monday 18 November).

The 47-year-old was reported missing on Thursday last week after failing to return home.

DC Jon Davison, Charles Cross investigation team, said: “We are very grateful for the...

Police are appealing for help in finding a man who went missing from his home in Torpoint on Sunday 17 November.

Andrew Robson, 22, was last seen by a family member on Sunday morning and his car was later spotted the same day in Minehead, Somerset.

Andrew has not spoken to his family since and there is concern for his welfare.

Andrew is described as a white, around 5ft...

Gritters are due to make their first run of the winter tonight on Plymouth roads, in preparation for the cold weather expected to come in overnight.

Road surface temperatures are forecast to fall to zero degrees tonight, despite air temperatures being expected to stay above freezing at two degrees. As a result, all primary and secondary gritting routes in and around the city are due...