Friday 10th July

Friday, 10 July 2026 06:30

The inquest into the death of a sex offender has returned an open conclusion. A driver has been arrested after a pursuit across the county. Ilminster Arts Centre has held its 2026 Open Exhibition Prize Giving Event... and more

The inquest into the death of a serial sex offender, who went on the run from his home in Minehead, has returned an open conclusion. The decision was made at a Taunton inquest yesterday, investigating the death of 71 year old Richard Scatchard. Mr Scatchard, who was a registered sex offender and had served a life sentence, was living in the community on licence for 11 years before his death. Senior Coroner, Samantha Marsh ruled earlier this week that Kelly Faiers, a former partner of Scatchard, was unlawfully killed after combined use of alcohol and sleeping tablets. Her death was initially treated as non-suspicious, but after other evidence came to light, it was treated as murder. Mr Scatchard’s body was discovered at a campsite in Watchet in April 2024.

A driver has been arrested after a pursuit across the county, with the suspect finally coming to a stop in Taunton. The incident occurred overnight on Wednesday when a vehicle failed to stop for officers near Weston-Super-Mare. Despite Police deploying a stinger device near North Petherton, the vehicle, linked to a disqualified driver, continued to the county town where an individual was detained.

Fire crews returned to the site of a fire alongside the railway near Langport yesterday. The blaze caused disruption to services across the south-west. Network Rail carried out inspections after the fire was put out. It broke out on Wednesday afternoon at around 4.30, with services through Taunton held as result.

A Police and Crime Commissioner scheme to check on the welfare, rights, dignity and conditions of detainees in police custody has received a national Gold Quality Assurance Award. The Independent Custody Visitors Scheme in Avon and Somerset, makes unannounced visits to Police custody suites. The award was presented at a ceremony in London earlier this week.

Ilminster Arts Centre has celebrated the outstanding talent of artists in the region after holding its 2026 Open Exhibition Prize Giving Event. Friends, artists and supporters gathered on Wednesday night to recognise this year’s winners. The overall prize was presented to Anita Clark for ‘Cycling on Black Ice is Not Advisable’, alongside runners-up Gail Mason and Emma Molony.