Headlines: Trams and ex-footballer jailed for drug smuggling
Here's our weekly round up of stories from across local websites in the West of England.We have a daily round up as well. Make sure you look out for it on the website and the local section of the BBC News app.
What have been the big stories in the West this week?
Former Bristol City footballer Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a £600,000 cannabis smuggling operation.Bristol Live said the 34-year-old was arrested after authorities intercepted 60 kilograms of cannabis at Stansted Airport, concealed in suitcases arriving from Thailand. Emmanuel-Thomas had recruited two women, including his girlfriend, to transport the drugs. While the women were cleared of charges due to lack of evidence, Emmanuel-Thomas pleaded guilty to the offence.The Swindon Advertiser published an interview with Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson, who has supported calls to make cannabis a class A drug, which would bring it into line with drugs like heroin and crack cocaine.The Stroud News and Journal reported on an equine therapy centre in Stroud that is looking for a new home as its current one is up for sale.Could Bristol finally get a tram system? The current Metro Mayor Helen Godwin believes so. Bristol Live reported on a new government investment into the West of England's transport system earlier this week.Weston-super-Mare's club chairman stepped down this week after an incredible 39 years at the helm. The club said it believed he was one of the longest serving chairmen in English football.And if you're feeling flush with money, Somerset Live has reported on the luxury Glastonbury accommodation which will set you back £28,000 - though it comes with its own helicopter landing pad.
Top five local stories for the BBC in the West
Something longer to read
Bristol historian Eugene Byrne has written an article for the Bristol Cable, exploring the Bristolians who profited from the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.When Union soldiers blockaded American ports, the Confederates sent agents to the UK to purchase muskets and other weapons, and Bristolian ships were used as 'blockade runners' to try and evade patrolling warships.
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Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Holidaying families were stranded for hours by airport parking rogues - then got their cars back with mystery extra mileage after some were used in parking and driving offences
Holidaying families were left stranded for hours by airport parking rogues before finally getting their cars back with mysterious added mileage. Drivers entrusting their vehicles to unofficial parking companies at Bristol Airport endured a painstaking wait for officers to fetch their cars back. In many cases, owners were shocked to see them returned with extra miles on the clock after they were used in parking and driving offences. Three were deployed as 'unlicensed taxis' in the area while others were driven by people thought to be uninsured. One holidaymaker's missing car was used to deliver keys, many of which could be seen strewn across the passenger seat and in the footwell. More still were handed back to owners in an undriveable condition or in hazardous or obstructive places, after a retrieval mission led by Avon and Somerset Police's airport police team and Immigration Enforcement. The dodgy parking firms operate away from the airport, with officers giving 20 cars back to holidaying families in one day last week. Sergeant Danielle Hardaway said: 'The last thing anyone wants is the worry over whether their car will be returned to them or not when they return from holiday. 'This operation was carried out as part of our commitment to keep the airport safe, maintain vehicle standards, and to promote the safety of passengers going to and from the airport, who should be able to do so with confidence in using licensed vehicles. 'We have had reports of cars being returned damaged or with excess mileage and, in some cases, have been driven by people who are uninsured as well as being involved in driving offences. 'We are now in the summer months and therefore a busy holiday season for both travellers and Bristol Airport alike. We ask people to always choose reputable parking operators, and to choose them carefully, and if the price seems too good to be true, then it often is. 'We advise people, when booking parking anywhere, to look for the British Parking Association's police-backed Park Mark Safer Parking scheme.' Dave Lees, chief executive of Bristol Airport, said: 'We welcome this latest operation and will continue to work with colleagues at Avon and Somerset Police and North Somerset Council to tackle these rogue operators. 'They are a nuisance to local communities and cause distress to customers who use them - with many completely unaware of where their cars end up.' Councillor James Clayton added: 'We are seeing an increasing number of holidaymakers who use Bristol Airport being misled by rogue parking companies. 'These operators not only compromise the safety of your vehicle but also exploit your trust with deceptive practices.'
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
Sham parking firms fail to return 20 cars to Brit holidaymakers leaving them stranded at major UK airport
BRIT holidaymakers were left marooned at an airport after finding their cars missing. They left their motors with rogue parking firms who failed to return them. 3 3 Homebound Brits were left stranded upon their arrival back in the UK at Bristol Airport, after 20 cars failed to be returned to their owners. Police have launched a crackdown operation against these unofficial 'companies' after receiving numerous complaints. The reports to the police detailed vehicles sustaining damage and unaccounted extra miles on the clock. The airport's policing team collaborated with the , North Somerset Council and the Motor Insurance Bureau during an enforcement day on June 3. The forces discovered 20 vehicles which had not been returned to their rightful owners. Consequently, many were left marooned at Bristol Airport for hours waiting for their cars to be recovered before they could get back home. Some of those unable to leave the airport were families with young children. The officer in the case supporting the operation, Sgt Danielle Hardaway said: "The last thing anyone wants is the worry over whether their car will be returned to them or not when they return from holiday. "This operation was carried out as part of our commitment to keep the airport safe, maintain vehicle standards, and to promote the safety of passengers going to and from the airport, who should be able to do so with confidence in using licensed vehicles. "We have had reports of cars being returned damaged or with excess mileage and, in some cases, have been driven by people who are uninsured as well as being involved in driving offences." The cars have now been returned to their owners by the police. However many of them were found to be in undrivable or unroadworthy conditions. Avon and Somerset police even reported that some cars had been left in hazardous or obstructive places around nearby villages - such that they required towing. The police have issued a photo which shows one customer's car being used to distribute keys around the local areas. In the picture, keys are piled on the front seat and in the footwell, which poses a threat risk. Following the operation, investigations are underway into three unlicensed 'taxis' and other suspected offences including no insurance, immigration, and licensing issues. Dave Lees, Chief Executive, Bristol Airport, said: "We welcome this latest operation and will continue to work with colleagues at Avon and Somerset Police and North Somerset Council to tackle these rogue operators. "They are a nuisance to local communities and cause distress to customers who use them – with many completely unaware of where their cars end up. "We urge everyone to look for the Park Mark accreditation, which all of our car parks have, so they have the peace of mind knowing their vehicle is safely parked while they enjoy their trip away. "We also ask our customers to be respectful of our neighbours and not to park or drop off outside their houses or drop litter." Sgt Hardaway also offered some guidance to holidaymakers to avoid this happening in future: "We are now in the summer months and therefore a busy holiday season for both travellers and Bristol Airport alike. "We ask people to always choose reputable parking operators, and to choose them carefully, and if the price seems too good to be true, then it often is." "We advise people, when booking parking anywhere, to look for the British Parking Association's police-backed Park Mark Safer Parking scheme." 3
BBC News
21 hours ago
- BBC News
Weston man found with thousands of indecent child images
A man who sexually assaulted a woman and was found with thousands of indecent photographs and videos of children has been Geoffrey Thompson, of Totterdown Road in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, pleaded guilty to a total of six charges, including making indecent images of children, taking indecent images of children and distributing indecent images of children as well as sexual and Somerset Police, said: "Thompson compiled indecent photographs involving children over a period of eight years and one of the category A moving images was estimated to be more than one hour long."The 61-year-old was handed a five-year sentence at Bristol Crown Court on 5 June. Police said Thompson's address was searched after they received information from another law enforcement mobile phone was seized and analysed to reveal the scale of his offending - which included making more than 4,200 category A indecent images of victim of the sexual assault, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said in an impact statement read out in court that she has "struggles" daily."My mental health has declined, which I didn't think was further possible knowing how low I have been feeling," she said."But I've been experiencing even more depression and anxiety, which affects me to the point I am not sleeping and constantly overthinking and continuing to not feel safe." Avon and Somerset Police said: "A huge amount of credit must be given to the victim for having the courage to come forward despite her ordeal."We hope any other victims of sexual offences are reassured that no matter how much time may have passed, it is never too late to report a crime to the police."Thompson was also handed 10-year-restraining order, an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and has also signed the sex offenders register.
