Thursday 15th February

Thursday, 15 February 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Avon and Somerset Police are stepping up their efforts to cut knife crime. A driver who videoed himself admitting he was drunk at the wheel before killing a woman in a crash near Wincanton has had his prison sentence increased. Fundraising to support the family of a Somerset jockey who died earlier this month has topped 54 thousand pounds...and more

Avon and Somerset Police are stepping up their efforts to cut knife crime. Speaking at a Crime Commissioners Performance Board meeting, Chief Constable Sarah Crew said her officers would launch a high-profile proactive operation to tackle knife crime better. She added that the “unreasonable” use of stop and search powers was not the solution but rather tackling the root causes of why people carry knives, and the greater use of knife surrender bins.

A driver who videoed himself admitting he was drunk at the wheel before killing a woman in a crash near Wincanton has had his prison sentence increased. Anton Hull was jailed for six years at Taunton Crown Court in November last year for causing the death of Sarah Baker in August 2022. The Attorney General's Office referred his sentence to the Court of Appeal, claiming it was unduly lenient. At a hearing held in London, three appeal judges agreed, and increased Hull's sentence from six years to nine years and three months.

Fundraising to support the family of a Somerset jockey who died earlier this month has topped 54 thousand pounds. 25-year-old Keagan Kirkby was part of champion trainer Paul Nicholls' team and worked at his yard in Ditcheat, near Shepton Mallet. He was killed at a point-to-point, after being thrown from his horse.

Somerton Town Youth Football Club is running a boot swap scheme. The idea is to help parents buy boots for children who play football at grassroots level.

The Ferne Animal Sanctuary has opened a new store in Crewkerne. The outlet in Falkland Square will be officially opened on Friday, February 23rd at 11 am by local MP Marcus Fysh.

More from News

Thursday 13th March

A new campaign has been launched to persuade people in Somerset to stop smoking. Four people have been arrested in Chard in connection with the supply of Class A drugs. A dog from Yeovil has won the title of ‘best in breed’ at Cruffs....and more.
Wednesday 12th March

A charity in Somerset is appealing for support after one of its sites was vandalised. The Leader of Somerset Council has been to Westminster to put the case for central government to provide councils with more money. A new primary school is to built in Chard.... and more
Tuesday 11th March

The union representing workers at Somerset Council is warning of further job cuts at the council next year. Secondary school pupils in Somerset are being offered help to withstand peer pressure to vape or smoke. The bells of St George's Church in Hinton St George have been fully restored after becoming difficult to ring ... and more
Monday 10th March

A property in Raglan Terrace in Yeovil has been closed down by a court order after it was linked to anti-social behaviour. NHS Somerset says investing in nurse apprenticeships has helped to boost recruitment. A new community garden has opened in Chard.... and more
Friday 7th March

The Leader of Somerset Council has repeated his call for a reform of the way that councils are funded. Crimestoppers is stepping up efforts to help tackle violent crime in Somerset. A new radar satellite is playing a crucial role in collecting data about flooding in Somerset...and more
Thursday 6th March

Somerset Council has approved a seven-and-a-half percent increase in council tax. People are being asked to return boxes of paracetamol bought from Boots Chemists in Somerset. It’s been revealed that five members of staff at Somerset Council are being allowed to work from home outside the UK...and more
Wednesday 5th March

Somerset Council has been told that hundreds of millions of pounds in loans taken out by former district councils, including South Somerset, have to be paid back. A Somerset charity says it needs more volunteers to help with research into new treatments for dementia. A local shop owner has welcomed Somerset Council’s decision to scrap plans to charge for parking after 6 pm...and more.
Tuesday 4th March

The population of Somerset has reached record levels with nearly one in ten born outside the UK. Stanchester School in Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been rated as ‘requiring improvement’. Experts have been called in to appraise a 15th-century piece of artwork in Sherborne...and more.