Devon & Cornwall Police

SENTENCE | A group of 13 men and women have been sentenced for supplying £1.5million worth of Class A and B drugs.

Over 17 and 18 July, they appeared at Exeter Crown Court where they were sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy to supply drugs from London into Devon & Cornwall.

The Organised Crime Group trafficked 390kg of cannabis and 4kg of co***ne into the region between June 2021 and August 2022 and then supplied it through a network of local dealers across the two counties.

12 members of the group pleaded guilty to the drugs supply offences; one man was found guilty at trial in February 2024.

They all appeared at court over two days where Judge Evans sentenced them to a total of 27 years in prison, with some receiving suspended sentences and community orders.

The investigation, named Operation Musical, begin in June 2021 after officers from the Proactive Unit in Exeter identified intelligence about drugs being supplied from the Sidmouth area. The team spent months tracking phone data, building up the picture of the groups operation before carrying out a series of warrants in August 2022 where they made multiple arrests and seized drugs, cash, and other assets.

Officers identified the lead conspirators as Philip Fallows, 36, from Sidmouth, and Jamie Chapman, 33, from Hertfordshire, who were orchestrating and coordinating the supply of drugs from London to Sidmouth, where Fallows then arranged for its onward distribution.

The two had trusted couriers within the group who facilitated the movement of drugs within Devon and Cornwall – this included Chapman’s Dad, Paul Chapman, 67, who would drive to London and return a short time later with the illegal haul.

They also relied on Matthew Topham, 31, and Jack Culip, 24, from Camelford, who became trusted associates of Fallows and were key contacts for the distribution of the drugs in Cornwall.

Fallows not only arranged the supply of the contraband into Devon, receiving up to 19kg of cannabis to his home address at a time, but he also then used encrypted messaging services to liaise with the group and arrange for them to collect it and sell it on to users around the force area.

On 31 August 2022, officers raided multiple houses and seized cash, assets including cars, and drugs including 19kg of amphetamine in Philip Fallows second address.

The group were arrested and later charged with drugs supply offences. Over two days, the group appeared in the dock where Judge Evans passed sentence for their roles.

Read more and see the full list of sentences here - https://orlo.uk/6hDSh

APPEAL | Police investigating a report of indecent exposure have released an image of a man they would like to speak to in connection to the incident.

At around 6pm on Monday 1 July a man exposed his ge****ls to an adult man and woman and a 13-year-old child in East Street, Newquay. The suspect then left the scene and walked up the road towards the nearby church.

Officers investigating the incident would like to identify the man pictured as they believe he may be able to assist with their enquiries. We are aware the quality of the image is low but it is the only one we have available at this time.

Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 101 or via our website quoting 50240161714

UPDATE | A man has died after sustaining serious injuries in a collision in Ashburton.

Emergency services were called at 4.30pm on Sunday 14 July following the collision involving a white Volkswagen Passat and blue Giant road bike on Headborough Road.

The cyclist, a man in 30s from Ashburton, sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to Derriford Hospital. Tragically, he has since died as a result of injuries sustained during the collision.

The car driver was uninjured.

Officers from the Roads Policing team closed the road for around six hours to carry out a forensic examination of the scene.

They are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and asking any witnesses or any motorist with relevant dashcam footage to contact them.

Please contact police online or by calling 101, quoting log number 580 of 14/07/24.

APPEAL | We are appealing for witnesses and information following a collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian on Bowhay Lane, Exeter.

The collision involved a 10-year-old boy and a black Ford Mondeo being driven by a local male and was first reported at around 6.30pm on Friday 19 July.

As a result of the collision the boy suffered serious injuries and was taken initially to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and then onto Bristol Children’s Hospital where he is currently being treated. The driver of the Mondeo and his front seat passenger were uninjured.

Anyone with any information or dash-cam footage which may assist the investigation is asked to contact police via our website or by calling 101 quoting log number 887 of 19 July.

If you have seen this man, who has links to Cornwall, please contact our colleagues at Avon and Somerset Police.

We're issuing an appeal asking people to call us they know where Gary Rootham is.

The 42-year-old absconded from HMP Leyhill, in South Gloucestershire, yesterday (Friday 19 July).

He has links to Cornwall and Reading.

If you see Rootham, don’t approach, call 999 ref 5224188647

ROAD CLOSED | The M5 is currently closed in both directions following collisions in both carriageways around Junction 29.

Emergency services are in attendance and there are believed to be at least three people with serious injuries.

The air ambulance will be attending the scene.

Please avoid this area and expect significant delays in the surrounding roads.

Officers will be looking to facilitate turning traffic around outside of the closure when suitable and safe to do so.

JAILED | A man has been jailed for the r**e and sexual assault of a woman in Exeter.

Charlie Evans, 22, from Victoria Avenue, Mumbles, Swansea, appeared at Exeter Crown Court for sentence on Friday 12 July after previously being convicted by a jury of r**e and sexual assault. He was jailed for six and a half years by Judge Stephen Climie.

During the trial the court heard how former Exeter University student Evans forced himself on the complainant and r**ed her in a bedroom after they met in a social area. She tried to get Evans to stop during the attack but he continued regardless.

Evans was eventually disturbed by fellow students but continued after they left. The attack stopped after a second disturbance.

The incident was reported to campus staff, who then contacted the police. Evans was asked to leave his accommodation and removed from the university following the allegation. He denied the offence in interview.

DC Michele Hicks from the Major Crime Investigation Team said following the sentence: “I would like to thank the complainant for her strength, remaining engaged throughout the investigation and continuing to do so for the amount of time it has taken for the case to get to court.

“I hope this case reassures the community how seriously the police take reports of sexual violence against women and girls and gives people the courage to come forward in future.”

If you’ve been affected by anything in this news article, support is available via the force website. Alternatively, advice and support is also offered by our partner agencies:

National R**e Crisis Helpline 0808 802 9999
Victim Care Unit (Devon and Cornwall) 01392 475900
Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) 0300 3034626

More: https://orlo.uk/Cqiwr

The freephone NSPCC helpline 0808 800 5000 is available for anyone to report or seek advice about non-recent abuse. Calls can be made anonymously.

APPEAL | We are appealing for witnesses following a sexual assault in Plymouth on Monday 1 July.

At around 4.45pm a woman was running in the Saltram Estate when she was sexually assaulted over her clothing by a male not known to her.

The suspect grabbed her with two hands and continued to hold her until the victim turned and confronted him.

The suspect then left the scene. He is described as a while male, between 30 and 40-years-old, clean shaven, with broken/missing teeth and brown shaggy hair. He was wearing a blue/green top and black tracksuit bottoms.

Anybody with any relevant information is asked to contact police on 101 or via our website quoting 50240161651

MISSING | We continue to be concerned for the welfare of missing person Craig Roberts.

Craig, 52, was last seen in the area of Looe Holiday Park at around 5.45pm on Sunday 7 July.

Officers have shared a new photo of Craig and are continuing to appeal to the public for information.

The investigating team is particularly keen to hear from anybody who may have seen Craig in the road near to the park, or even picked him up.

He is described as a white male, of slim build, with short dark hair, although he often wears a flat cap. He is 5ft 8in tall and is not very mobile.

Craig was last seen wearing a camouflage top, blue jeans and black and white trainers.

If you have seen Craig, or know of his whereabouts, please call police immediately on 999, quoting reference number 972 of 7 July.

APPEAL | We are appealing for witnesses and information following a serious road traffic collision near Tiverton.

Officers were called at around 5.40am on Thursday 11 July to the B3137 at Withleigh following reports of a blue Renault Clio colliding with a residential property.

All of the occupants of the vehicle were taken to hospital for treatment. A man in his 20s remains in hospital having sustained life-threatening injuries.

An 18-year-old man from Tiverton was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He has since been released on police bail.

The road was closed while an investigation was carried out at the scene. Officers from the Roads Policing Team would like to thank the public for their patience whilst the road was closed.

Anyone with relevant information and dash-cam footage which may assist the investigation is asked to contact police via our website, or by calling 101, quoting log 159 of 11 July.

Today we remember and commemorate the more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys murdered in Srebrenica in July 1995, because of who they were, their ethnic identity.

The theme for this year is ‘I Am Because You Are’. The inspiration comes from the philosophy of ‘Ubuntu’, a South African term which is often translated as “I am because you are”. The anti—apartheid and human rights activist, Archbishop Desmond Tutu summarised it in the following way: “Ubuntu speaks about the fact that you can’t exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness … We are all connected. What unites us is our common humanity… We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas what you do, what I do, affects the whole world. Taking that a step further, when you do good, it spreads that goodness; it is for the whole of humanity.”

This theme underlines the importance of standing up against those who try to divide us and. In commemorating the genocide, we hope that we can help to bring people from different backgrounds together to tackle hatred, prejudice and discrimination and help build safer, stronger, and more cohesive communities here in the UK.

We would like to make it clear that Devon and Cornwall is no place for hate. If you have ever been a victim of a hate crime, we are here to support you. You can report it to us via our website: https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/hco/hate-crime/how-to-report-hate-crime/

JAILED | A man has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison for sexual offences committed in Plymouth.

Dean Newton, 51, of Basingstoke at the time of the offence but now of Scotland, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court for sentence on Thursday 11 July having been convicted after a trial of causing or inciting a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and voyeurism.

Newton committed the offences in a hotel room following a night out in Plymouth in October 2019.

The offences both involve the same victim and came to light in January 2020 when he approached police to report what happened.

On the night in question Newton engaged in sexual activity with the victim as he slept and took photos of him naked on his phone.

Newton was arrested in Basingstoke where he was living at the time and following a full and protracted investigation by detectives from the Sexual Offences Investigation Team, was charged in 2023.

He was found guilty at a trial at Plymouth Crown Court which began on 2 July and was remanded into custody ahead of sentencing.

Officer in charge, DC Andrea Dominik said: “Newton took the opportunity to commit these sexual offences on a young vulnerable victim, and they have had a significant impact on the victim’s life, his health and his relationships, and will continue to do so for the rest of his life.

“The victim has shown immense bravery and commitment to the investigation and the court process. I hope the verdict today can provide some level of conclusion to the events for him. His voice has been heard, and the result of the trial shows that victims will be believed, and justice will be done.

“Devon and Cornwall Police are invested in reducing sexual violence. We recognise that the criminal justice system can sometimes be a difficult process for victims, but there are support measures which can be put in place to support them through the whole journey. I hope this gives other people the courage to come forward.”

If you require help or assistance relating to sexual abuse, please look at the below list of helplines:
•
National R**e Crisis Helpline: 0808 802 9999
• Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC): 0300 3034626
• Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Independent Sexual Advisor Service: 03458 121212
• Victim Care Unit: 01392 475900
• Devon R**e Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services: 01392 204 174
• First Light is an independent charity supporting people in Cornwall, Devon and Wiltshire who have been affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence.
In an emergency, always call 999 and in a non-emergency please call 101 or visit www.dc.police.uk/contact.

MISSING | We have launched a fresh appeal for information in an attempt to locate missing person Craig Roberts.

Craig, 52, was last seen in the area of Looe Holiday Park at around 5.45pm on Sunday 7 July.

Officers have shared a new photo of Craig and are continuing to appeal to the public for information.

The investigating team is particularly keen to hear from anybody who may have seen Craig in the road near to the park, or even picked him up.

He is described as a white male, of slim build, with short dark hair, although he often wears a flat cap. He is 5ft 8in tall and is not very mobile.

Craig was last seen wearing a camouflage top, blue jeans and black and white trainers.

If you have seen Craig, or know of his whereabouts, please call police immediately on 999, quoting reference number 972 of 7 July.

It’s ! 💛

Following a successful pilot scheme we are pleased to announce that officers and staff in Devon and Cornwall can now get support from wellbeing and trauma support dogs.

Darcy (first photo) and Bertie (second photo) are part of a 9 dog team across Devon and Cornwall. It’s part of national scheme available for forces called OK9. The dogs are taken to meet members of the public at events, offer support to family members and witness trails. The dogs can be booked to help a team with a difficult shift.

The dogs are owned by their handlers who cover all food and veterinary costs.

WANTED | We are seeking the public’s help to trace a 26-year-old man from Plymouth.

William Launder is wanted in connection with reports of controlling and coercive behaviour and intentional suffocation.

Enquiries have been made by police to locate him and officers are now appealing to the public for information on his whereabouts.

Launder is described as a white male, of medium build with brown hair. He is 5ft 6in.

He was last seen in Trafalgar Street, Plymouth, on Tuesday 9 July.

Anyone who sees Launder is asked not to approach him but to call police on 999, quoting log number 617 of 6/7/24.

Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111, or via its website.

We know that domestic abuse may get worse during football tournaments for various reasons.

Victims of domestic abuse can discreetly signal for help from the safety of a pharmacy which is participating in the Ask for ANI scheme. ANI stands for Action Needed Immediately.

Victims can use the codeword ANI in participating pharmacies, including all Boots stores and some independent pharmacies in Devon and Cornwall to let staff know that they require an emergency police response or help with contacting a helpline or specialist support service.

Pharmacies which are taking part will display posters with this distinctive hand symbol to let customers know that they can approach their staff to seek help.

Find out more about Ask For ANI here: https://orlo.uk/I6ziR

APPEAL | Officers investigating a series of rural burglaries and break-ins in West Devon have appealed to the public for information.

Throughout June and July officers have received reports of numerous burglaries in Chagford, North Tawton, Winkleigh, Hatherleigh, Meeth and Okehampton.

During the break-ins entry has been forced to buildings both residential and non-residential and items stolen including machinery, power tools, a Land Rover and bikes of various types.

Officers are also aware of other vehicle thefts in the area and would like to remind the public to ensure all properties and outbuildings are locked and all valuable items and equipment are kept secure.

Anybody with relevant information or footage that may assist investigating officers are asked to call 101 or visit our website quoting crime reference 50240169534

APPEAL | Do you know these people? We are asking for the public’s help to identify them in connection with several frauds at a Liskeard store.

Officers are investigating three incidents at Argos at Bubble Retail Park where fraudulent receipts and labels were used to return electrical items for substantial false refunds.

The incidents happened between November last year and February 2024 and are believed linked.

Police investigating the incidents would like to identify the individuals pictured as it is believed they may be able to assist with their enquiries.

Anyone who recognises them or has any information which may assist with the investigation is asked to come forward.

Please contact police online: https://orlo.uk/Kifsf+ or by telephone on 101, quoting crime reference 50240043825.

Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111, or via https://orlo.uk/gwK1X

APPEAL | We are appealing for witnesses and information following a serious road traffic collision in Tiverton on Thursday 4 July.

Emergency services were called at around 8.35am to West Exe South where it was reported that a collision had taken place involving a Suzuki S-Cross and a pedestrian.

The pedestrian sustained serious injuries and remains in hospital.

Officers from the Roads Policing team would like to thank the public for their assistance while an investigation at the scene was carried out.

Anyone with any relevant information or dash-cam footage which may assist the investigation is asked to contact police via our website or by calling 101 quoting log 137 of 4 July.

The family of Lorna England have released a statement following the guilty conviction of Cameron Davis today.

He will be sentenced on Thursday 11 July for her murder. Full story here: https://news.devon-cornwall.police.uk/news-article/c96bfa87-023e-ef11-9d67-6045bdd24049

GUILTY | A man who stabbed a grandmother to death in a park in broad daylight has today, Tuesday 9 July, been found guilty of murder.

Cameron Davis, 31, who was living in temporary accommodation on Exeter Road in Exmouth, was found guilty at Exeter Crown Court for fatally stabbing 74-year-old Lorna England as she walked home from a shop.

The court heard how on Saturday 18 February 2023 at around 3.55pm, Lorna had been walking through Ludwell Valley Park in Exeter when she was randomly and brutally attacked by Davis, a total stranger to her.

Witnesses revealed how Davis and Lorna had been seen on a pathway together in what looked like a struggle before Lorna fell to the ground. A woman nearby approached the area and asked Davis what had happened. He told her that Lorna must have had a fit as he left the scene with Lorna’s phone, which was later retrieved in the park.

While the woman tended to Lorna, she dialled 999 and shouted for help. Members of the public who were in the park at the time came to her aid as they tried, in vain, to save Lorna’s life.

Response officers arrived at the scene and immediately administered first aid. Despite the best efforts of everyone, Lorna was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Police immediately launched a manhunt while extensive CCTV analysis identified Davis as the suspect and showed him coming out of a local sports hall just prior to the attack.

He will be sentenced on Thursday 11 July at Exeter Crown Court.

FULL STORY HERE: https://orlo.uk/zEU26

APPEAL | Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a fatal road traffic collision near Totnes.

Officers were called at around 7pm on Monday 8 July to a country road near Washbourne. It was reported that a collision involving a Honda motorcycle and a white BMW X1 had taken place.

The motorcycle rider, a man in his 20s from Totnes, has since been pronounced deceased. His next of kin have been informed.

The road was closed while an investigation was carried out at the scene.

Officers from the Roads Policing Team would like to thank the public for their patience whilst the road was closed.

Anyone with any relevant information or dash-cam footage which may assist the investigation is asked to contact police via our website or by calling 101 quoting log 673 of 8 July.

APPEAL | Officers investigating the theft of a number of sculptures taken from Darts Farm Shopping Village near Exeter have released pictures of the stolen items.

It has been reported that nine animal head sculptures were removed from their stands using a chainsaw and then stolen between Sunday 7 July and Monday 8 July.

The sculptures had been situated along the walking trail area and officers are now turning to the public for help.

Anybody with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Devon and Cornwall Police by calling 101 or visiting our website quoting reference 50240168225