Latest news with #BBCWiltshire
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Insufficient progress' made on drugs at Prison
A report into a category C men's prison has found that drugs remain easily available, with almost a third of inmates recording positive readings during random drug tests. HMP Erlestoke, in Wiltshire, was inspected over three days in April, following up on concerns raised about "safety", "respect" and "purposeful activity" during the previous inspection in 2024. HM chief inspector of prisons said good progress was being made in one out of the nine areas of concern, with reasonable progress being made in five. A Prison Service spokesperson said they are pleased improvements have been recognised, adding "more needs to be done". Three areas were found to have demonstrated insufficient progress. The report found that no improvement had been made in relation to prisoners' access to drugs, with the rate of positive random drug tests remaining at 32%. It also found that there had been 426 emergency medical calls in the previous six months for prisoners suspected of being under the influence of a prohibited substance. "Insufficient progress" was also made in improving the first night cells and preventing self-harm. The report said that despite a reduction "there was still no action plan to address the high levels of self-harm and to prevent future self-inflicted deaths." Support for prisoners who needed help with reading was also found to be lacking. Improvements were found to have been made with "overall levels of violence now lower than in similar prisons" and work had been done to address antisocial behaviour and reduce the use of force. The report found levels of violence had reduced by 25% since the 2024 inspection, including the number of serious assaults. The number of incidents of use of force had also decreased during the same period. It further noted that "positive steps had been taken to address negative perceptions of treatment among prisoners from ethnic minority backgrounds." The Prison Service spokesperson said: "We are pleased inspectors have recognised improvements in tackling violence and antisocial behaviour at HMP Erlestoke. "But we know more needs to be done, which is why we are working with police to keep drugs out of the prison and supporting prisoners with substance misuse addiction through our drug recovery wing." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Prison made 'insufficient progress' with drugs Prison 'less safe' following Covid-19 restrictions
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pair of rare royal pistols to be sold at auction
A pair of rare pistols from the private collection of an 18th Century prince are to be sold at auction later. The guns were owned by Prince Augustus Frederick, the first Duke of Sussex, the sixth son of King George III. They were made in the 1790s by the esteemed Spanish gunsmith Francisco Targarona and are believed to have been given to the prince as a diplomatic gift. The pair are estimated to fetch between £20,000 and £30,000 at a special sale of medals and coins, arms and armour at Woolley & Wallis, in Salisbury. The duke was well liked and noted for championing societal freedom and reform. He was also known for his large weapons collection, which was put up for auction on his death in 1843, including the pistols. The guns are Spanish 22 bore convertible 'Madrid' lock pistols, which date from about 1795. They are highly decorative, with geometric and floral accents, and can be fitted together to create a short, single gun. They are housed in a fitted mahogany case with velvet lining. On the outside, the case has an oval silver plate on its lid engraved "Purchased at the sale of His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, 1845". Ned Cowell, head of arms and armour at Woolley & Wallis, said the selling the guns was a privilege. "We are honoured to be offering such an outstanding pair of pistols by such a distinguished gunmaker and with such a historic background," he added. Other items in the sale include a selection of military medals, rare coins, swords, cannons and a coronation robe worn in 1937 and in 1953. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. 'Very rare' five-neck guitars to be sold at auction Titanic pocket watch could sell for £50k at auction Sport commentator's career keepsakes sold
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man killed brother in drunken fight at motocross
A man has admitted killing his brother with a single punch during a drunken fight. Ben Starr, 34, of Woodside Avenue in Derbyshire, admitted the manslaughter of his brother Lee Starr during a hearing at Bristol Crown Court earlier. The fatal fight, witnessed by the men's father, broke out when the brothers were at the Foxhill motocross event in Swindon in August last year. Lee, who was in his 30s, suffered a fatal head injury and later died in hospital. The court was told the men's father witnessed Lee punch Starr twice before both men ended up on the ground, with Starr restraining his brother. The pair were separated and Lee directed a "kick and a punch" towards Starr, their father told police. Sam Jones, defending, said Starr told police the kick and punch "connected with him" but witnesses at the scene said the blows "did not connect". Starr was initially charged with grievous bodily harm with intent but was later charged with murder and manslaughter. Mr Jones said Starr admitted manslaughter on the basis he threw a single punch after being separated from his brother, and after his brother's attempt to kick and punch him. "Both the defendant and his brother were intoxicated at the relevant time," he added. Medical experts were not able to determine the level of force Starr used when he punched his brother, the court heard. Mr Jones said: "It is a tragic case, not least because those who have attended in support of the defendant today are those who have been so affected by the consequence of the alleged incident." More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire Robin Shellard, prosecuting, said the guilty plea to manslaughter was "acceptable" to the Crown Prosecution Service. "We accept of course this was a fight between two brothers," he said. "Lee certainly called his brother out, they wrestled on the floor and there were blows made by Lee towards Ben and vice versa. "The two independent witnesses say that the fight had finished by that stage, so self-defence didn't arise. "It was in the context of that - that it was a blow out of anger or indeed another reason, but certainly not self-defence." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Man dies after assault at Foxhill motocross event Arrest after life-threatening assault at motocross event HM Courts & Tribunals Service
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man killed brother in drunken fight at motocross
A man has admitted killing his brother with a single punch during a drunken fight. Ben Starr, 34, of Woodside Avenue in Derbyshire, admitted the manslaughter of his brother Lee Starr during a hearing at Bristol Crown Court earlier. The fatal fight, witnessed by the men's father, broke out when the brothers were at the Foxhill motocross event in Swindon in August last year. Lee, who was in his 30s, suffered a fatal head injury and later died in hospital. The court was told the men's father witnessed Lee punch Starr twice before both men ended up on the ground, with Starr restraining his brother. The pair were separated and Lee directed a "kick and a punch" towards Starr, their father told police. Sam Jones, defending, said Starr told police the kick and punch "connected with him" but witnesses at the scene said the blows "did not connect". Starr was initially charged with grievous bodily harm with intent but was later charged with murder and manslaughter. Mr Jones said Starr admitted manslaughter on the basis he threw a single punch after being separated from his brother, and after his brother's attempt to kick and punch him. "Both the defendant and his brother were intoxicated at the relevant time," he added. Medical experts were not able to determine the level of force Starr used when he punched his brother, the court heard. Mr Jones said: "It is a tragic case, not least because those who have attended in support of the defendant today are those who have been so affected by the consequence of the alleged incident." More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire Robin Shellard, prosecuting, said the guilty plea to manslaughter was "acceptable" to the Crown Prosecution Service. "We accept of course this was a fight between two brothers," he said. "Lee certainly called his brother out, they wrestled on the floor and there were blows made by Lee towards Ben and vice versa. "The two independent witnesses say that the fight had finished by that stage, so self-defence didn't arise. "It was in the context of that - that it was a blow out of anger or indeed another reason, but certainly not self-defence." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Man dies after assault at Foxhill motocross event Arrest after life-threatening assault at motocross event HM Courts & Tribunals Service
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged following police chase car crash on M4
A 37-year-old man has been charged following a police chase that resulted in a crash on the M4. Officers had been in pursuit of a man driving a black Audi Q3 following a burglary in Pengam, south Wales, at about 01:45 BST on Tuesday. At 02:50 the vehicle was involved in a crash on the eastbound exit slip road at junction 17 for Chippenham, Wiltshire. A man from London was arrested at the scene and charged with driving a motor vehicle dangerously, possession of a firearm and going equipped for burglary. Gwent Police said he had been released under investigation. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire Police said a man who was assaulted during the burglary in Pengam was taken to hospital but had since been discharged. Det Supt Steven Maloney said: "Our investigation into these matters continues and we're keen to identify the other two men reportedly involved in the burglary. "If you know who they are, then I would urge you to get it touch with us. "We understand that the collision which followed the reported burglary caused a significant impact to many motorists, so I'm grateful to the public for their patience and understanding as officers carried out their enquiries." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
