Thursday 18th April

Thursday, 18 April 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A Martock man has been jailed after admitting to shining lasers at aircraft flying over Yeovil. Police are investigating an attempted break-in at the TK Maxx store at Babylon Hill. Nearly four hundred people have put their names forward for redundancy at Somerset Council...and more.

A Martock man has been jailed after admitting to shining lasers at aircraft. Appearing at Taunton Crown Court, Andrew Wilson was sentenced to four months imprisonment. At an earlier hearing, Wilson had admitted two counts of directing a laser beam at an aircraft, an offence under the Laser Misuse Act 2018. On the first occasion, he targeted a helicopter flying over Yeovil. The second incident involved an Airbus A320 passenger plane flying over Yeovil on its descent to Bristol Airport, with 200 people on board. The court was that Wilson had not only jeopardised the eyesight of several pilots but had recklessly endangered the lives of hundreds of innocent people. Story courtesy of Chard and Ilminster News.

Police are investigating an attempted break-in at the TK Maxx store at Babylon Hill, just outside Yeovil. It happened on Tuesday, April 16th at around 9 pm. Two men from Yeovil have since been arrested on suspicion of burglary offences.

Nearly 400 people have put their names forward for redundancy at Somerset Council. The Council plans to cut around one thousand jobs in this financial year, up to a quarter of the workforce, in an attempt to save £40m. 372 members of staff had applied for voluntary redundancy when the deadline to apply expired at the end of March.

Conservationists in Somerset have welcomed the news that a bill to ban the use of peat in gardening products has passed through the first stages in Parliament unopposed. The county has the largest peatlands in the South West and contributes a huge amount to the total UK output.

Staff from South Western Ambulance have been in London lobbying MPs as part of a campaign for fairer pay. On a visit to Parliament, Emergency Care Assistants, who work with paramedics as part of emergency ambulance crews, were asking for support for their campaign for higher pay, to better reflect their levels of training, and the important work they do.

Former Somerset and England cricketer, Marcus Trescothick has been presented his OBE for services to mental health. Marcus currently works as a mental health ambassador with the Professional Cricketers' Association. In 2006, he had to leave an England overseas tour due to his struggles with depression and anxiety.

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