Local News Monday 12th June

Monday, 12 June 2023 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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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