Devon Air Ambulance charity shop damaged in burglary in Tiverton
The incident was reported to police by a group of people who were passing the shop and saw the damage.The charity said the crime had caused irreparable damage to the shop's doors.
Devon Air Ambulance said in a statement: "This unexpected setback not only strains the charity's resources but has also deeply upset the staff, many of whom are volunteers who dedicate their time out of a genuine desire to help others."They are disheartened that an organisation focused on compassion and caring for others has been targeted in such a way."An investigation has been launched by Devon and Cornwall Police and enquiries are ongoing, the force said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
15 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Bruce Lehrmann claims police destroyed exonerating evidence and pending rape trial should be abandoned, court hears
Bruce Lehrmann has claimed police destroyed evidence that could prove his innocence and his pending rape trial should therefore be abandoned. Lehrmann's solicitor, Zali Burrows, told Brisbane district court on Thursday that Queensland Police had been unable to access a hard drive that contained extensive case files. The included audio of Lehrmann taken before his arrest in 2023 and a full download of the complainant's mobile phone. Sign up: AU Breaking News email Burrows' claims are to be tested at a hearing on 26 September, with Judge Deborah Richards ordering that Lehrmann would not face a potential trial on two counts of rape until at least 2026. The 30-year-old appeared by phone for the mention of his case. Judge Benedict Power previously directed the defence and prosecutors to agree on a nominal start date for the trial. But Burrows on Thursday said that would be premature for multiple reasons. 'There is an application for a permanent stay of proceedings on the basis of destruction of exculpatory material,' she said. 'The officer in charge of this investigation has lost material that was stored on a personal hard drive that contained materials from the course of the investigation.' Burrows said the hard drive contained audio recordings involving witnesses and Lehrmann, copies of statements and video recordings. '(The officer) claims the hard drive malfunctioned for unknown reasons,' she said. 'Defence has sought access to the hard drive for an independent interrogation by our own experts but we are told the hard drive has now been destroyed.' Lehrmann, who is on bail, is accused of raping a woman twice during the morning of 10 October 2021. They met during the previous night at a strip club in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane. The former ministerial staffer to Liberal senator Linda Reynolds was charged in January 2023 and is yet to formally enter a plea. But his former solicitor previously told a magistrate Lehrmann intended to contest the charges. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Crown prosecutor Peter Blake-Segovia did not respond to Burrows' submissions about the officer's hard drive or her claims that police were providing her copies of evidence in a 'piecemeal' manner. Richards said there was no room in this year's calendar for another trial. 'I don't have a calendar for next year yet. You are off the hook for a trial date at this stage,' she said. Barrister Michael Bonasia, representing the Queensland police commissioner, told Richards his client had been served a subpoena by Burrows for copies of all materials in the case. 'There's an application for any claims of privilege for documents sought under the subpoena,' he said. Richards ordered a hearing on the subpoena claims on 28 August and a hearing on 26 September for Burrows' application to permanently stay proceedings, which if granted would halt the trial before it started. 'On 29 October … (a date) will be listed for the trial if it's still on foot,' the judge said. Lehrmann's bail was continued.
The Guardian
15 minutes ago
- The Guardian
After-school carer charged with producing child abuse material at six facilities across northern Sydney
A male before- and after-school care staffer who was previously a New South Wales police officer has been charged with producing abuse material of children in his care, with authorities releasing a list of almost 60 facilities where he worked. The Australian federal police allege 26-year-old David James produced child abuse material of 10 children, aged between five and six, during his employment at six out-of-school hours (OOSH) care services in the northern suburbs of Sydney over three years, from April 2021 to May 2024. The AFP said there was no evidence to suggest alleged offending took place at any of the facilities James worked at beyond the six identified by authorities. 'It is important to note that all of the impacted families have been contacted by the AFP and NSW Health,' the AFP said. James was remanded in custody in October 2024; however, the accusations against him were only made public on Thursday after a court-ordered non-publication order was lifted. He has been charged with 13 offences, including nine counts of aggravated use of a child under 14 to make child abuse material; one count of using a child under 14 to make child abuse material; two counts of possessing child abuse material; and one count of contravening a warrant. James was initially arrested and charged with refusing to provide police with passcodes to his devices. After police gained access, officers located child abuse material and he was again arrested, the AFP alleged on Thursday. James worked with children as far back as 2018 across 58 different after-school and vacation care services across Sydney, according to police. 'AFP investigators have carefully scrutinised the available evidence to identify the scale and scope of the alleged offending,' the AFP acting sssistant Commissioner Brett James said. 'There is no evidence to suggest the man's alleged offending took place in out-of-school-hours facilities or other care providers which have not yet been contacted by law enforcement.' James worked at Knox Grammar high school from March 2018 to July 2020 and the YMCA in Bankstown in July 2018. His work history also shows he worked at OOSHs services in Stanmore, Ultimo, Erskineville, St Ives and Fort Street. The AFP said the families of all alleged victims had been contacted. 'This process resulted in letters being sent on 18 June 2025 to parents and carers of children who attended six Sydney-based care services where the man had been employed and where evidence of offending was identified by the AFP,' the police said in a statement on Thursday. NSW police confirmed on Thursday that James was a former officer. The force said he was employed as a probationary constable from December 2021 to September 2022. Sign up to Morning Mail Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion After failing to complete his probation, he stayed employed with the force in a civilian capacity until his resignation in May 2023. NSW police said that during his employment, James failed to seek the required approval to engage in secondary employment, therefore the 'police were unaware of his concurrent role in the childcare sector'. 'We acknowledge the seriousness of the allegations and condemn any behaviour that places our community's most vulnerable members at risk,' NSW police said in a statement. 'The NSWPF will continue to assist the AFP in its investigation and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all affected individuals. As this remains an ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.' Brett James said police were 'committed to supporting those families whose children's innocence was allegedly violated by a man trusted to take care of them'. 'Any form of child sexual abuse is confronting. Even more so when the alleged perpetrator is an individual trusted with the care of our youth,' he said. 'If parents are concerned, please visit the website dedicated to supporting families and the community seeking further information about the AFP investigation.'
BBC News
15 minutes ago
- BBC News
Essex Police seizes dozens of illegal e-scooters and e-bikes
Almost 60 e-bikes and e-scooters that were being driven illegally have been seized by police as part of a Police said it had confiscated 58 illegally ridden vehicles since March in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Currently, it is only legal to ride an e-scooter on private land or in a city that is part of a government-regulated Steve Wells, from Essex Police, said: "Anyone walking in a pedestrianised area shouldn't have to be on high alert that someone might be hurtling towards them on an e-bike or e-scooter." Officers warned riders that ignorance of the law was no excuse if caught. Electrically assisted pedal cycles are legal to ride providing they cannot travel beyond 15.5mph. Officers said, however, they had seen e-bikes travelling at speeds that exceeded the limit, as well as pedal bikes that have been converted to have throttles akin to a centre of Southend-on-Sea has is covered by a Public Space Protection Order, which prohibits any form of cycling or e-scooter order does not apply to police officers on Wells said: "The irresponsible use of e-scooters and e-bikes is an issue we've been tackling for some time. "The public don't like them, they're dangerous and in the wrong hands can cause serious injuries." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
