Local News Friday 23rd April

    Exeter Crown Court

    A Martock man found guilty of multiple counts of rape has been jailed for 24-years. Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following a fatal accident on the A303 Ilminster bypass. A care home resident in South Petherton is believed to be the oldest person in South Somerset to receive a coronavirus vaccination. A cash machine has been broken into in Ilminster....and more.

    A Martock man found guilty of multiple counts of rape has been jailed for 24-years. Tom Wade-Allison, a chef by trade, was said to have spiked the drinks of his victims before carrying out the attacks. He denied the charges but was convicted of nine counts of rape. Passing sentence at Exeter Crown Court, Judge Timothy Rose praised the courage of the victims for giving their evidence.

    Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following a fatal accident on the A303 Ilminster bypass. It happened at around 11.30 pm on Wednesday night between the South Petherton and Southfields roundabouts. A pedestrian in his 30's was pronounced dead at the scene. If you can help police with their enquiries you’re asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

    A care home resident in South Petherton is believed to be the oldest person in South Somerset to receive a coronavirus vaccination. Gwyneth Isaccs, who’s 104, and lives at Burnworthy House had her second jab last week. All 27 residents at the home, together with all staff have now been vaccinated twice against Covid.

    A project’s been launched in Somerset aimed at encouraging people to be more open about discussing their wishes for when they die. It’s being run by the charity Marie Curie along with NHS in Somerset. Bee Heygen lost her mother during a routine operation - an experience that prompted her to get involved in the project.

    A cash machine has been broken into in Ilminster. The ATM outside the Co-op store in The Square was raided at around 3 am on Wednesday. Local residents reported hearing a loud explosion at the time. Anyone with information is asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

    More from News

    • Friday 31st October

      There's anger in Chard about a road diversion in place alongside two sets of roadworks through the town. A motorcyclist has been injured in an accident in Bruton. £100,000 has been donated towards re-opening Shepton Mallet’s Amulet theatre...and more

    • Thursday 30th October

      Bird flu has been detected at a nature reserve in Somerset, resulting in the closure of part of it. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain...and more

    • Wednesday 29th October

      Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.

    • Tuesday 28th October

      Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more

    • Monday 27th October

      The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more

    • Friday 24th October

      New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more

    • Thursday 23rd October

      Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more

    • Wednesday 22nd October

      A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Light rain

      High: 16°C | Low: 10°C

    • Chard

      Light rain

      High: 15°C | Low: 9°C

    • Crewkerne

      Light rain

      High: 15°C | Low: 9°C

    • Somerton

      Light rain

      High: 16°C | Low: 10°C

    • Wincanton

      Light rain

      High: 16°C | Low: 10°C