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.

More from News

Monday 24th August

The Chair of the NFU has repeated calls for a longer-term plan to tackle bluetongue, Three men have been jailed for their involvement in car key burglaries in Somerset. Police say they’re treating a fire in Norton Fitzwarren as suspicious... and more.
Friday 21st August

Adam Dance MP has added his voice to those criticising this week’s Channel 4 documentary on ADHD. Visitors can now explore more of Ham Hill with a new off-road mobility scooter hiring scheme. Young people are being encouraged to join the Ilminster Carnival children’s procession... and more.
Thursday 20th August

Castle Cary railway station’s makeover has been officially unveiled. A new 18 million pound diagnostic centre in Bridgwater has opened. A Crewkerne teenager has been named ‘coach of the year’ for his work with Bristol City.... and more.
Wednesday 19th August

The fire service in Somerset has issued a plea for the public to take every precaution to prevent wildfires. Plans have been approved for Numatic International to install one-thousand solar panels on roof of their Chard factory. Somerset fast bowler, Jake Ball, has signed a new one-year contract that will keep him at the club for the 2027 season... and more
Tuesday 18th August

People across Somerset are banned from today from using hosepipes to water gardens, clean windows or cars, or fill swimming and paddling pools. More cases of the potentially deadly livestock disease Bluetongue have been confirmed in Somerset. Work is underway to improve disabled access at Holyrood Academy in Chard... and more
Monday 17th August

Wessex Water, who supplies almost all homes and businesses in Somerset, has introduced a hosepipe ban effective from midnight tonight. A sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary has been repaired, two years after it was first discovered. A Wildcat helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton has taken part in the annual passing-out parade at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth... and more
Friday 14th August

Police are investigating an incident in which obscene words were scratched onto the World War One memorial at Ham Hill. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has repeated his call for the upgrade of the town’s police station to include a custody suite. A Somerset carnival club is building a specially adapted float to allow a wheelchair user and her assistance dog to take part in this year’s carnival circuit...and more
Thursday 13th August

An Ilminster family is celebrating after winning one million pounds on the National Lottery. Police have released a picture of a man they want to speak to in connection with suspected frauds in Somerset. Somerset Council has opened a tendering process to find a main contractor for the £15 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon theatre... and more