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Police appeal to trace witnesses after serious assault in Plymouth

Devon and Cornwall Police
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Police appeal to trace witnesses after serious assault in Plymouth

We are trying to trace two potential witnesses as part of an ongoing investigation into a serious sexual assault in Plymouth.

The offence took place between 8am and 9am on Tuesday 10 February on Peacock Lane, Plymouth, and was reported to us on Monday 9 March.

Investigating officers are keen to speak to two people who were seen on CCTV speaking to the suspect between 8.30am and 8.35am on 10 February.

Both witnesses were approached by the suspect outside the former Lost in Rio premises (currently being renovated) and the Plaza Snooker Club.

The first person, possibly a female, spoke to the suspect for a short time before moving on towards the city centre/Barcode as the suspect made his way towards Exeter Street.

The suspect then stopped to speak to a second person further along Bretonside. It cannot be established if this person is male or female as they too are very distant from the camera.

It is believed both of these people may have important information relating to the investigation, particularly regards what the suspect said to them.

The suspect is described as a white male, wearing a light-coloured jacket or fleece, a green lanyard, beige/sandy coloured trousers and black, white and grey trainers. He may also have been wearing a dark coloured baseball cap.

If you think you may have been one of the people who spoke to the suspect, please call 101 or visit our website quoting 50260035768

Royal Marine jailed after single punch killed man in Exmouth

Devon and Cornwall Police
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Royal Marine jailed after single punch killed man in Exmouth

A 22-year-old man from Wolverhampton, has been jailed for three-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to manslaughter at Exeter Crown Court, following the death of a man in Exmouth.

Joseph Jones, 22, of Chillington Lane, Codsall, Wolverhampton, admitted the charge after assaulting Cemal John Yilmaz, 29, from Exmouth, on Saturday 13 December 2025.

Mr Yilmaz was taken to Derriford Hospital, in Plymouth, in a serious condition but despite treatment, he died of his injuries on Tuesday 16 December.

At the sentencing hearing held at Exeter Crown Court, it was heard that Jones had punched Mr Yilmaz.

It was described how both men had been drinking in Exmouth on Friday 12th December 2025 and had encountered each other on Church Street.

Jones, a Royal Marine, had been with friends celebrating their recent passing out parade.

Jones and the victim had exchanged words, which Jones later described in his initial police interview as making him feel uncomfortable and that Mr Yilmaz was too close to him.

The victim was heard to say: “You’re a Brummie” to which Jones replied: “No, I’m from Wolverhampton.”

It was after this exchange that Jones struck Mr Yilmaz in the face with a single, fast, jab-style punch to the face, causing the victim to instantly fall to the ground.

While other people tried to treat Mr Yilmaz and called an ambulance, Jones left the scene and returned to the Royal Marine Commando Training Camp at Lympstone.

On the afternoon of Saturday 13th December Joseph Jones presented himself in at Exeter Police Station, where he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

In a police interview that afternoon, when asked if he was aware of the consequences of punching somebody, he said: “I didn’t, well I didn’t ever, I didn’t ever think consequences could be this, could be this dire. 

“With my own punches, I didn’t, I didn’t think I could, I didn’t think I could do something like this, I didn’t.”

He was later charged with grievous bodily harm with intent.

Following the death of Mr Yilmaz, Jones was further arrested on Monday 29 December on suspicion of murder.

Jones was charged with manslaughter and appeared at Exeter Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 31 December and was released on conditional bail.

Jones pleaded guilty to manslaughter when he appeared at Exeter Crown Court on Wednesday 4 February and today, Friday 13 March, Jones was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison, to serve two years four months before being released on licence.

A spokesperson for the familysaid: “Cemal John Yilmaz was born on the 29 September 1996 and was the first of our two sons.

“Cem as we called him was the loveliest, warmest and kindest person you would ever meet, he would help anybody in need and always had time for a laugh and a chat.

“We could spend a lifetime telling you how amazing Cem was, he brightened up the darkest of places and brought people out of bad places when they needed to escape, a complete selfless person always.

 “Cem never had a bad word to say about anyone, he loved his life, he loved his family, he was the highest of the high. He always turned a negative into a positive.

“He was loved by his family and friends and the community in Manchester where he was born and in Exmouth where he made his home.

“This senseless act of violence has ripped our family apart, it has taken our son from us, our brother from us, there are not enough words in the world to describe the depths of our pain and loss.

“We do not want something like this to happen to anyone else’s family.”

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Christopher Lithgow, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “This was a chance encounter between two people that night, that has tragically affected the lives of all involved.

“Mr Jones will now have to deal with the consequences of his actions.

“I wish to express my deep sympathy to the family of Mr Yilmaz and I commend their bravery throughout this process.

“I have had the pleasure of meeting the family of Mr Yilmaz and it was immediately clear just how loved and adored he was by so many.”

Plymouth youth awards launched to celebrate inspiring young people

Plymouth City Council
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Plymouth youth awards launched to celebrate inspiring young people

Plymouth City Council is shining a spotlight on the city’s rising stars as it proudly sponsors the YMCA Youth Awards – a celebration of young people whose creativity, courage and community spirit are helping shape a brighter future for the city.  

From young carers quietly keeping family life going, to inspirational individuals who’ve overcome huge personal challenges, to those transforming their neighbourhoods through volunteering, arts, social action, inclusivity or environmental change, these awards recognise the extraordinary impact young people make every day.  

Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Plymouth’s young people amaze us time and time again with their talent, compassion and determination. They support their communities, champion causes they care about and show incredible resilience and leadership. We’re thrilled to sponsor the YMCA Youth Awards and help celebrate the brilliant young people who make our city proud.” 

The awards shine a light on achievements across areas such as community contribution, arts and culture, inclusivity, apprenticeships, caring for others, and overcoming adversity – recognising young people who lift others up, bring creativity to life, take action for good, or simply make a difference when it matters most. 

Sarah Newbury the YMCA event organiser, added: “Hosting the Plymouth Youth Awards for the third year is something YMCA Plymouth is extremely proud of. These awards are a powerful reminder of the incredible potential within young people across our city. Recognising their achievements, resilience and contributions to the community is vital, and we are honoured to help celebrate the next generation of leaders and changemakers.” 

Nominations are now open, and the Council is encouraging everyone in Plymouth to put forward a young person who deserves applause. If you know someone under 21 who’s shown heart, grit or imagination — nominate them and help give their story the spotlight it deserves. 

The deadline to nominate is Thursday 30 April.  

Nominate now

Devon joins new campaign to boost healthy food and local farming

Devon County Council
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Devon joins new campaign to boost healthy food and local farming

We are among the 15 local authorities in the south west that are the latest to join a charity’s campaign to improve residents’ health, support the local food economy, and improve the environment.

We have signed up to Sustain’s Good Food Local benchmarking tool to help drive change in sustainable food and build healthier communities.

The initial findings from Sustain’s first benchmarking of local authorities in the region has found that we demonstrate “excellent support for initiatives to reduce / reuse / recycle food waste”.

We’re working across a number of areas to support local food production and help local people to improve their health:

  • We host the Devon Food Partnership and this month marks three years of the county’s Good Food Strategy 2023-2028;
  • We made history by being the first two tier authority in the country to implement auto-enrolment of free school meals;
  • We provide support for food and drink businesses to become more sustainable through the People Planet Profit event series, and our Train4Tomorrow skills bootcamps fund skills development in regenerative agriculture and sustainable hospitality;
  • Our County Farms support new entrant farmers as tenants, and we also host Devon Agri-Tech Alliance & South West AgriTech that provide farmer support and knowledge exchange;
  • Our Farmwise project raises awareness of the connection of food and farming for 13,000 children and 300 teachers each year.

Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, said: “Farming plays a vital role in our local economy and in supporting our rural communities. Increasing the amount of food that is locally grown and produced contributes to a thriving economy and a more resilient food system. I’m pleased we’re part of Sustain’s Good Food Local benchmarking, and it’s encouraging that some of our work has already been recognised. However, there’s more we need to do. Less than half of Devon’s population are consuming five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Devon’s locally produced food is not only high quality but is grown to high-welfare and environmental standards, and choosing seasonal local produce is far better for our carbon footprint than importing food from the other side of the world. Enabling better access to, and education on, locally grown healthy food can make a huge difference in reducing diet related health issues while also supporting our farmers and the wider rural economy, as well as lowering our environmental impact.”

Councils from across the region will share learnings and experiences – an approach that has helped other Good Food Local regions such as the North East.

Dr Justin Varney-Bennett, Regional Director of Public Health at NHS England, said: “The South West has a long and proud tradition of good food, with a deep connection between land, sea and communities. Across the region, local authorities and partners play a critical role in strengthening food systems to improve population health, tackle inequalities, and support local producers and businesses. By taking part in Sustain’s Good Food Local survey, councils are building a clearer picture of where progress is being made and where further action is needed. Benchmarking as a regional cohort also gives us the opportunity for stronger collective leadership and faster progress.”

You can find out more about Good Food Local survey and how councils in the South West are helping to build healthy, sustainable communities at: https://www.sustainweb.org/news/mar26-good-food-local-south-west/

Devon’s Good Food Strategy is available at: https://www.devonfoodpartnership.org.uk/food-strategy/

Devon to host first water quality summit as river concerns grow

Devon County Council
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Devon to host first water quality summit as river concerns grow

Devon’s first water quality summit will be held after councillors backed plans to bring together industry experts and concerned community groups.

At the latest cabinet meeting today (Wednesday 11 March) councillors endorsed proposals for the Council to take a strategic ‘convening’ role, bringing together regulators, water companies, district councils, landowners, community groups and other organisations involved in protecting and improving Devon’s rivers, streams, estuaries and coastal waters.

Only around a fifth of Devon’s surface water bodies currently meet the ‘good ecological status”’ required under national regulations, with pressures including agricultural runoff, urban pollution, wastewater discharges and the increasing impacts of climate change on rainfall and flooding.

While responsibility for water quality is shared across many organisations, councillors heard that activity can be fragmented, with overlaps, gaps and uncertainty about who is accountable for what.

A new coordinated approach would help improve transparency, reduce duplication and support better decision‑making for communities and partners.

Devon County Council would work with partners to develop a comprehensive, Devon‑wide picture of water quality responsibilities, existing activity and available evidence.

This would include mapping pollution sources and hotspots, clarifying statutory roles, and setting out what data is collected, by whom and how often.

A key part of the approach would be the hosting of a Devon Water Quality Summit, designed to bring together strategic partners and wider stakeholders for shared learning, constructive debate and agreement on next steps.

The summit would help shape a collaborative and transparent Devon Water Quality Action Plan, jointly owned by all partners.

The summit would also help raise awareness of the significant amount of work already under way across the county, while identifying where further collective action could deliver the greatest benefits for people, communities and the environment.

Councillor Paul Arnott, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Local Government Reorganisation and Water Quality said; “Water quality is one of the issues people across Devon care most deeply about; regardless if it’s in the context as a resource to drink, to grow crops and maintain live stock  or because we are the only county with two coastlines and it’s the lynchpin of out tourist economy, people quite rightly expect public bodies to work together more effectively to protect our rivers, beaches and wildlife.

“This approach is about bringing everyone around the table, being clear about who does what, and making sure we are joining up the good work already happening across the county. By hosting a Devon Water Quality Summit, we want to create the space for honest discussion, shared understanding and practical collaboration that leads to real improvements on the ground.”

He added that while Devon County Council had limited direct statutory responsibility for regulating water quality, it does have an important leadership role in convening partners, improving transparency and supporting a more coherent, county‑wide response.

“This approach is about collaboration, clarity and transparency – bringing partners together to better understand where collective action can make the biggest difference.”

Runners invited to Roadford Reservoir charity run for air ambulance

South West Water
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Runners invited to Roadford Reservoir charity run for air ambulance

South West Water has opened applications for a fun run at Roadford Reservoir to raise money for Devon Air Ambulance Trust.

The event, to be held on Sunday 19 April 2026, will cater to runners of all abilities with participants able to choose the distance which suits them best, from 2.5k, 5k or 10k.

All participants will be given a personalised runner’s bib and at the finish line everyone will receive goody bags and medals – with trophies going to the winners of first, second and third places for each race.

Tickets cost £15 with all proceeds going to Devon Air Ambulance Trust who respond to emergencies, including serious illness and injuries, 365 days a year, relying on charitable donations alone.

Launched in 1992, Devon Air Ambulance Trust’s crew of pilots, paramedics and doctors provide rapid care, by air or by road, when its needed most.

Devon Air Ambulance Trust, said: “Devon Air Ambulance would like to thank all the runners taking part in this year’s South West Water, Roadford Reservoir Run. We are incredibly grateful for their support and our fleet of critical-care cars and our team of pilots, paramedics and doctors would not be able to provide the life-saving response they do if it were not for the continued generosity of fundraisers.”

Dani Twelvetree, Head of Customer Communications & Engagement at South West Water, said: “We are so pleased to be hosting this fun run at Roadford Reservoir. The area is beautiful and full of nature so really lends itself to an event like this.

All the proceeds of the fun run will go to Devon Air Ambulance Trust and all the amazing work they do responding so swiftly to emergencies in the community.”

Roadford Reservoir has an on-site café and the area boasts a variety of natural habitats including grasslands, woodlands, pastures and orchards, making it the perfect place for runners and supporters to relax and enjoy the surroundings

To apply, visit Roadford run | South West Water

Sponsors announced for NHS Our People Awards celebration in Torquay

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
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Sponsors announced for NHS Our People Awards celebration in Torquay

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is proud to announce details of its annual Our People Awards staff recognition celebration event, thanks to the generosity of its corporate sponsors.

The event, which takes place at The Riviera International Centre in Torquay in May, celebrates the achievements of colleagues who have gone above and beyond to deliver outstanding compassionate care, supporting others at work and in our communities.

Anyone who has received an Our People Award or another recognition award during the past 12 months is invited to attend.

Nevada Construction and Bailey Partnership both have long standing relationships with the awards and are welcomed back as platinum sponsors. They will be joined by Stride Treglown Architecture and MW Benney Ltd who are sponsoring the event for the first time.

Nevada Construction has a long-rooted history with Torbay and South Devon’s NHS, including delivering new operating theatres and an endoscopy unit at Torbay Hospital, and finalising a new Emergency Department, a transformative project designed to meet the growing demands of the community.

Nevada Construction is sponsoring the awards for the fourth year in a row. Director Bob Tranckle said: “Nevada Construction is honoured to once again be platinum sponsors for the Our People Awards. Our partnership continues to be a source of immense pride, and we are committed to celebrating the dedication and achievements of its exceptional people. Torbay Hospital holds a personal connection for us, as it was the workplace of our mother’s career and the place where our children were born. Supporting the hospital aligns with our company’s values and highlights our dedication to contributing to the community.”

Bailey Partnership has generously sponsored the event for the past three years and has also helped to deliver key projects at Torbay Hospital. 

Director Giles Blight explains: “At Bailey Partnership, we believe in the power of community and celebrating the individuals who make it thrive. Our Torbay office is deeply rooted in the local area, and supporting the people who dedicate themselves to our wellbeing is incredibly important to us. For the past two years, we’ve proudly sponsored the Our People Awards, and we are honoured to be back this year.”

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust welcome new sponsors Stride Treglown Architecture, a long-standing partner of more than 20 years, whose expertise has helped shape and design innovative hospital facilities.

Daniel van Luttmer, Director, Healthcare Design, Stride Treglown Architecture said: “The dedication shown by the trust’s people every day is truly inspiring. Our long partnership has given us a deep appreciation of the people who make outstanding healthcare possible for their communities, and that’s something we are privileged to support.”

MW Benney Ltd, a Torbay based construction contractor, join Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust as first time sponsor.

Alex Bickham, Director, MW Benney said, “MW Benney Ltd are proud to support the Our People Awards. As a company that regularly works within healthcare environments, we see first-hand the dedication, compassion and professionalism of the staff who care for the local community every day. Supporting these awards is a small way for us to recognise and celebrate the incredible individuals and teams whose hard work and commitment make such a difference to patients and families across Torbay and South Devon.”

Hulley and Kirkwood and Services Design Solution are also welcomed back as gold sponsors and Arque Ltd as a silver sponsor.

Multiverse and Peninsula Project Consulting join the line-up as first time sponsors of the events, sponsoring entertainment and decorations.

Joe Teape, Chief Executive of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are so grateful to all our sponsors for generously sponsoring Our People Awards 2026 and publicly supporting our people. 

“The event means so much to our people and we are delighted to be able to provide another fantastic evening for them to enjoy and celebrate their amazing work, which we couldn’t host without the donations of our sponsors. Thank you so much.”

The Our People Awards celebration event is funded entirely by sponsorship through our Torbay and South Devon NHS Charity. If your business is interesting in sponsoring Our People Awards, please contact tsdft.charity@nhs.net

Stover pupils design metal creations in hands on engineering sessions

Devon Today
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Stover pupils design metal creations in hands on engineering sessions

A group of young pupils have been putting their creativity and engineering skills to the test – designing and manufacturing their own metal creations in a hands-on introduction to the world of technology.

Year 7 students from Stover School have completed their first term of Design and Technology sessions delivered in partnership with South Devon University Technical College (UTC), which is part of Education South West.

The programme introduced students to engineering concepts, computer-aided design and practical manufacturing skills through a series of practical workshops.

A Year 7 pupil shows a finished metal component during a Design and Technology session at South Devon UTC.

During the sessions, pupils designed their own pewter keyrings using computer-aided design software before pouring molten metal into moulds to form their creations.

They also completed finishing processes including cutting, filing, soldering and polishing to produce fully functioning desk balance toys to take home.

The sessions were delivered by Will Bent, head of the engineering faculty at South Devon UTC, and supported by UTC students.

Students examine the shapes cut for their designs as part of a hands-on engineering session delivered by South Devon UTC.

Claire Plumb, headteacher at South Devon UTC, said: “The first ever cohort of Year 7 Design and Technology students from Stover have been a real pleasure to work with.

“They have embraced every challenge, from using computer design software to making their pewter keyrings, and the excitement and pride they showed in their finished projects was as precious as gold dust.”

The partnership between the two schools will continue next term, when a new group of pupils will begin the sessions.

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said: “We are proud of the partnership between South Devon UTC and Stover School, which is giving students a fantastic opportunity to experience hands-on engineering and design.

“The UTC’s expertise and support are helping these students develop skills, confidence and a real passion for STEM at an early stage.”

Exeter tourism businesses celebrated during English Tourism Week

Exeter City Council
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Exeter tourism businesses celebrated during English Tourism Week

It’s English Tourism Week (13 to 22 March) and to mark the occasion, Visit Exeter is celebrating the people and businesses that make the city such a special place to visit. 

Throughout the week, the Visit Exeter team, which is the official tourism marketing organisation for Exeter City Council, will be shining a spotlight on the people behind the city’s tourism and hospitality sector. 

Led nationally by VisitEngland, English Tourism Week highlights the quality, diversity, and value of England’s tourism sector.  

Tourism is one of England’s largest and most valuable industries, supporting more than two million jobs, hundreds of thousands of small and medium-sized businesses and generating around £127 billion annually for the economy. 

The campaign also aims to demonstrate to government, MPs, and key stakeholders the vital importance of tourism to local communities and its role in driving economic growth across the country. 

This year’s theme, “Local Stories, National Growth – Celebrating English Tourism Week,” recognises the powerful role local destinations, businesses and individuals play in strengthening England’s visitor economy. 

To mark the occasion locally, Visit Exeter has launched its own ‘Local Stories’ campaign Throughout the week, the Visit Exeter team will be sharing a series of short videos, content, and features across their social media channels, highlighting the businesses, venues and individuals who help create memorable experiences for visitors to Exeter. 

From independent businesses and cultural venues to outdoor experiences and historic landmarks, the campaign celebrates the unique character and warm welcome that Exeter offers. 

Cllr Bob Foale, Lead Councillor for Arts, Culture and Tourism, said: “Exeter has so much to offer for day-trippers and long-stay holiday makers. English Tourism Week will help us shine a light on those that make Exeter a real must-see destination.”  

Residents and visitors are encouraged to follow the campaign and discover these stories throughout the week via Visit Exeter’s social media channels.

Plymouth parking charges set to rise under new council plans

Plymouth City Council
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Plymouth parking charges set to rise under new council plans

Cabinet members yesterday approved a number of changes to the city’s parking fees and arrangements to help meet significant budget challenges while continuing to deliver service improvements.

The proposals aim to maintain the income needed to continue delivering key parking services in spite of increasing costs, as well as make charges more consistent and improve the overall customer experience.

They include:

  • increases to pay and display fees both on and off-street, bringing them more in line with those charged by other councils (most of whom are carrying out similar reviews)
  • increases to fees for permits, to cover the increased costs of maintaining permit schemes (with any surplus going towards road maintenance)
  • charges for all motor vehicles in car parks, including motorcyles, so that anyone who uses a bay must pay for it (with a view to also rolling this out to on-street parking bays, once they all use ticketless payments)
  • replacement and upgrade of on-street payment systems to provide a wider choice of options (credit/debit/contactless cards, Android, Apple, RingGo app, phone and website). Cash payments will be removed, as they have been in our car parks for six years, reducing the costs and carbon footprint of collecting, transporting and processing cash. In 2024/25 over 84 per cent of customers chose to pay by RingGo and only three per cent of payments were made by cash
  • charges for blue badge parking on the Hoe promenade, to cover our costs and help ensure we can continue to provide this service (including enforcement) in the longer term
  • modest charges at all our coastal car parks (Jennycliff, Mount Batten and Strand Street) for stays of over one hour. Charges will be lower than at most other coastal/seafront car parks in Plymouth and the rest of Devon and Cornwall

A proposal to introduce an escalating increase of 50 per cent for each additional residential parking permit (where people have more than one vehicle) was withdrawn in response to public feedback.

Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: “We have been making a number of improvements to support motorists and businesses over the last year, for example by providing more wide bays, enhancing car park security and extending parking times.

“As well as providing ‘traditional’ parking services, our team also works with public transport colleagues and partners to promote and encourage sustainable travel, such as enforcing bus lane and bus stop restrictions. This annual review will also enable us to continue strengthening our capacity to enforce inconsiderate parking around schools that breaches restrictions and increases risk to the safety of children and young people.

“However, like most other local authorities, we are facing significant financial challenges due to rising costs and demand and that means having to keep all our charges under review.

“Benchmarking against 26 other cities shows that our on-street and off-street charges are significantly lower. These changes are essential if we are to balance fairness, financial sustainability and the high-quality service our customers deserve.”

Notices of variation on some of the proposals will be published shortly and changes implemented in mid-April. Proposals to introduce charges at coastal car parks and for blue badge parking on the Hoe promenade are subject to a public consultation. These are expected to be advertised this month but no changes will be implemented until after the local election in May.

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