Local News Friday 26th November

Friday, 26 November 2021 06:00

A driver has been jailed for taking police on a 100 mph car chase through South Somerset. Independent retailers in Somerset are calling on shoppers to remember them on Black Friday today and support "Indie Friday" instead. A Chard man has appeared in court charged with assault and being the owner of a dangerous dog that was out of control. A man who handed a purse into Chard police station is being asked to contact the police. Yeovil’s open-air market in Middle Street tomorrow has been cancelled...and more

A driver has been jailed for taking police on a 100 mph car chase through South Somerset. Taunton Crown Court was told that Lee McGinty drove so fast that police saw his BMW leap two feet off the ground in Ilminster before escaping. Ten days later he led police on another high-speed pursuit driving along Reckleford in Yeovil at 90 mph then through Chilthorne Dormer before reaching a top speed of 100mph on the A37 at Ilchester where he crashed his car and was arrested. McGinty of Puddletown in Dorset was jailed for 3-years and disqualified from driving for three years.

Independent retailers in Somerset are calling on shoppers to remember them on Black Friday today and support "Indie Friday" instead. They say they can't afford to match the same discounts and promotions offered by most online businesses but still need people to buy from local shops.

A former employee at Westland Helicopters in Yeovil, now Leonardo, is trying to locate former colleagues he worked with in the 1970s after being diagnosed with the lung disease, mesothelioma, an incurable cancer that can be caused by exposure to asbestos. Ian Ebdon believes he might have contracted the disease while working at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil 40-years ago. Leonardo says they’re unable to comment as Mr. Ebdon has lodged a claim against the company.

A Chard man has appeared in court charged with assault and being the owner of a dangerous dog that was out of control. Wayne Brewer of Montague Way in Chard pleaded guilty to both offences at Taunton Magistrates Court and was fined £120 with £85 costs.

A man who handed a purse into Chard police station is being asked to contact the police. The black purse was dropped through the letterbox at Chard's Police Station at about 9 am on Friday, November 12th. Police want to talk to the man to find out where he found the purse. You can view a photo of the man on the Avon and Somerset Police website. If you can help, you’re asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

Yeovil’s open-air market in Middle Street tomorrow has been cancelled. Organisers say following a yellow weather issued by the Met Office, the market won’t be held for safety reasons.

More from News

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
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more