Friday 18th September

Friday, 18 September 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Three people from Yeovil have been sentenced after admitting offences linked to the theft and illegal supply of prescription-only medicines. An ancient burial site on the Quantocks has been damaged. Chard Guildhall is open for public viewing today... and more

Three people from Yeovil have been sentenced after admitting offences linked to the theft and illegal supply of prescription-only medicines. Alastair Caines, aged 41, was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, Stuart Eales, aged 55, received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for one year, and Louise Larby, aged 42, was given an 18-month community order. Appearing at Taunton Crown Court, Eales and Larby also admitted theft of controlled drugs while working at a pharmacy. An investigation began after the manager of the pharmacy discovered discrepancies and alerted the police. A fourth person, a woman who was arrested during the investigation, was never charged.

An ancient burial site on the Quantocks has been damaged in what's been described as a concerning incident involving human interference. An investigation is underway.

A former police worker has been given a suspended six-month prison sentence for accessing sensitive personal data of people in illegal searches. Appearing before local magistrates, Laura Dean, who was based at Bridgwater Police station, admitted to eleven counts of computer misuse. She resigned from Avon and Somerset Police last year.

English Heritage has taken a decision to return to an ancient method of managing meadows at Muchelney Abbey near Langport to try and preserve Somerset's population of rare shrill Carder bees. Strymmers will no longer be used and instead volunteers will use scythes to cut grassed areas.

Chard Guildhall is open to the public today for viewing inside the building. It’s part of this year’s Heritage Open Days, with guided tours offering the chance to explore ‘behind the scenes’ at the historic Grade II listed property. There are three tours today at 10am, 11.30am and 1.30pm.

More from News

Thursday 17th September

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18,000 shoplifting offences have been recorded in the Avon and Somerset Police area in the last financial year. A Chard man has been sentenced for assaulting a police officer. Forefront Community Centre in Chard is celebrating 20 years of bringing people together in the town... and more
Wednesday 16th September

A pilot with the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance says there will be 'catastrophic' consequences if laser pointers continue to be pointed at their aircraft. Plans to build forty new homes in the village of Curry Rivel have been given the go ahead. The owner of a ram called Rambo in Keinton Mandeville has thanked firefighters for rescuing him after he got stuck in a concrete pipe... and more
Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more