Local News Monday 12th June

Monday, 12 June 2023 at 07:00

By Steve Haigh

A record number of motorists were convicted of speeding offences in the Avon and Somerset Police area last year. An Ilchester man has been jailed for ten years after being found guilty of eleven counts of indecent assault. Police are seeking dashcam footage and witnesses to a single-vehicle collision on the A30 at Snowdon Hill near Chard last Thursday...and more.

A record number of motorists were convicted of speeding offences in the Avon and Somerset Police area last year. Figures from the Ministry of Justice show that 10,566 motorists caught by Avon and Somerset Police were convicted for speeding offences in 2022 – up 61% from 6,578 convictions the year before and the highest since comparable records began in 2014.

An Ilchester man has been jailed for ten years after being found guilty of eleven counts of indecent assault. Karl Pitcher, aged fifty-four of Great Orchard in Ilchester, was also given a sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offenders register for life when he appeared at Taunton Crown Court. The court was told that Pitcher had carried out his offending in the nineteen nineties on children aged between two and fourteen years.

Police are seeking dashcam footage and witnesses to a single-vehicle collision on the A30 at Snowdon Hill near Chard last Thursday at around 10.20 am. The driver of a black Ford Fiesta involved in the incident remains in a critical condition in hospital. If you can help, please call the non-emergency number 101.

Plans have been submitted to convert a disused church in Langport into a house. The proposal would see the former United Reformed Church building on Bow Street connected to the next-door property to create one large house. The building was constructed in 1828 as a congregational chapel and re-fronted in 1874. It ceased being a church in May 202

A traditional farmhouse cider-maker is encouraging more people to produce heritage Somerset cider. Matt Gillett runs 'Tricky Cider' in Low Ham, near Langport says there's room in the market for more locally produced cider.

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Friday 30th October

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Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more