VIDEO: Race for Life Truro sets off on 5km jaunt against cancer

July 14, 2013, 3:28 am

≫ Next: Arson and medical treatment involved as firefighters feel the heat more than most

≪ Previous: Jessie J turns up the heat at Eden Project on the hottest day of the year

$

0

0

AND they're off ... Hundreds of women and girls and even their pets headed off in the searing heat to run, walk or wheel their way over 5km to help fight cancer. More than 1,300 had signed up to the Race for Life starting at Richard Lander School in Truro at 11am. The national series of events aim to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Many participate in memory of loved ones lost to the disease. Some joined in wearing fancy dress.

After a warm up, they set off at 11am. Today's race featured a team from the West Briton and its sister papers - calling themselves The Noellers - in honour of veteran reporter Noel Perry, who passed away last month after a battle with cancer. To sponsor the Noellers visit www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/noellers

---

Arson and medical treatment involved as firefighters feel the heat more than most

July 14, 2013, 3:50 am

≫ Next: Race for Lifers pound the pavement in Truro against cancer

≪ Previous: VIDEO: Race for Life Truro sets off on 5km jaunt against cancer

$

0

0

The current heatwave has been warmly welcomed across the county but for Cornish fire crews the hot weekend proved a particularly busy one. Arson was suspected in the latest incident, where two people were treated by paramedics. Fire crews responded to a call that a blaze had taken hold within the bedroom of a terraced bungalow on St Georges Crescent, Bodmin, at about 1.40am this morning. The two occupants of the property escaped the flames but suffered the effects of smoke inhalation and were left in the care of ambulance personnel. The fire crews, from Bodmin and Lostwithiel, dealt with the blaze using breathing gear, one hose and a thermal imaging camera. A positive pressure ventilation fan was then used to clear the property of smoke. A joint police and fire investigation was underway. Yesterday, an accidental wheelie bin fire at 12.25pm on a Perranporth road leading down to the beach was tackled by the Perranporth fire crew. Half an hour later, ten firefighters and two appliances from Bodmin were called to the scene of an fire within an art studio. The fire had started in the single storey wooden studio on Ruthern Bridge, Withiel, as a result of a heat gun being used to strip paint from a window. Upon arrival it was believed the flames were out, but, using a thermal imaging camera and small tools, firefighters identified and extinguished a further small fire within the building's insulation. At 3.20pm on the same afternoon an area in Wadebridge was cordoned off by firefighters from the town and Bodmin whilst a leaking 45 litre propane gas cylinder was made safe. In Camelford, at 3.45pm, fire crews from Delabole attended a 50 metre section of hedge at Tresparrett Downs that was burning. The flames had spread to a nearby log pile and the firefighters used one main jet and one hose reel to extinguish the blaze. At 6.50pm on Camborne's, Trevenson Street, Cornwall Fire and Rescue service received a call to a small electrical fire in a commercial property. The crews confirmed the fire had been accidental and had been confined. Electrical engineers were requested to make the scene safe. At 8.45pm reports came in of a gorse fire near Tuckingmill Valley, Pendarves Street, Camborne. Five firefighters attended the scene and found that the flame were from an unattended bonfire. The fire was extinguished using one hose reel.

Race for Lifers pound the pavement in Truro against cancer

July 14, 2013, 4:42 am

≫ Next: Coast Path near Polruan undergoes improvement work

≪ Previous: Arson and medical treatment involved as firefighters feel the heat more than most

$

0

0

Hundreds of women and girls set off in Truro's Race for Life. The 5km fundraiser for Cancer Research UK started at Richard Lander School at 11am.See pictures and video

Coast Path near Polruan undergoes improvement work

July 14, 2013, 5:28 am

≫ Next: Jude Law leaves the Hollywood Hills for Holywell Bay

≪ Previous: Race for Lifers pound the pavement in Truro against cancer

$

0

0

A popular section of the South West Coast Path, around Lantivet Bay near Polruan, is undergoing improvement work just in time for the sunny weather. The area was one of 90 highlighted by the Great South West Walk as being in need of improvement. The Great South West Walk, which took place earlier this year to celebrate the South west Coast Path Association's 40th Anniversary, identified the areas along the 630 mile coastal route and raised over £600,000 during the process via series of sponsored walks. The work around the section near Polruan has been led by The National Trust in Cornwall. Drainage of the old path is being improved and two stone stiles on the path have also been restored. Andy Simmons, South Cornwall Coast Path ranger for the National Trust, said: "The improvements will enable safer and easier access to the South West Coast Path at Lantivet, enabling walkers to enjoy this beautiful section of Cornwall's coast. "This project has received funding from the RDPE and significant sponsorship from Encounter Walking Holidays for which we are incredibly grateful." Damon Wilcox, owner of Encounter Walking Holidays said being involved in supporting such a project has been great. "This section of Coast Path is very special and wild, largely untouched by the modern world so we wanted to help protect it for us and our future generations." John Slater from the South West Coast Path Team, who co-ordinated all of the funding for the Great South West Walk to make the repairs possible said: ""We now have until the end of 2013 to complete all of the 90 or so improvement projects involved with the Great South West Walk and with all the support we have received so far, we hope to have many completed in the next few months." For further information on the section of the South West Coast Path near Polruan, or any other improvement project being funded by the Great South West Walk and its partners, please visit www.GreatSouthWestWalk.co.uk.

Jude Law leaves the Hollywood Hills for Holywell Bay

July 14, 2013, 6:23 am

≫ Next: Man suffers serious head injuries after cliff fall at Whitsand Bay

≪ Previous: Coast Path near Polruan undergoes improvement work

$

0

0

A trip from the Hollywood Hills to Holywell Bay left staff at the St Pirans Inn near Newquay a little starry eyed, when one of the silver screen's A-listers popped in for his fish and chips. Jude Law, star of blockbusters such as Sherlock Holmes and Cold Mountain, was in Holywell Bay to film love scenes for the upcoming film, Black Sea. The movie, directed by Kevin Macdonald, the man behind The last King of Scotland, sees the actor stepping into the role of a submarine captain searching the depths of the Black Sea for a sunken sub rumoured to be laden with gold. And his appearance at St Pirans Inn was equally rewarding for the pub's staff. Barmaid and waitress, Charlotte Langslow, said: "We had him in on Tuesday last week, he came down filming his new film on Holywell Beach and he had lunch and dinner at the pub. "I was asking him all the questions and myself, another waitress, the landlord and the chef all got our photos with him. He had fish and chips at the pub and he loved it!" Following the filming at Holywell Bay Beach the crew filmed further scenes for the film at the Headland Hotel in Newquay.

Man suffers serious head injuries after cliff fall at Whitsand Bay

July 14, 2013, 8:16 am

≫ Next: Casualty trapped in vehicle after Penzance crash

≪ Previous: Jude Law leaves the Hollywood Hills for Holywell Bay

$

0

0

A man has been badly hurt after falling from cliffs at Whitsand Bay. The 28-year-old man fell approximately 100ft at 2am this morning, Sunday. A friend called for help and the man was airlifted to hospital with head injuries.

Casualty trapped in vehicle after Penzance crash

July 14, 2013, 8:24 am

≫ Next: Lostwithel and the South West prepare for Royal visit

≪ Previous: Man suffers serious head injuries after cliff fall at Whitsand Bay

$

0

0

Fire crews from Penzance and St Just were called to a two vehicle road traffic accident at around 3.50pm today. One casualty had to be released from their vehicle following the smash at Crows an Wra. The casualty was then left in the care of the ambulance service.

Lostwithel and the South West prepare for Royal visit

July 15, 2013, 12:30 am

≫ Next: Kayakers feared missing off coast of Porthtowan

≪ Previous: Casualty trapped in vehicle after Penzance crash

$

0

0

CORNWALL will welcome Prince Charles and Camilla to the county today.

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall will visit Lostwithiel, Bude and St Austell, before moving on to Devon.

In Lostwithiel they will host a reception at the Duchy Nursery to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Cornwall Crafts Association.

They will visit Bude Castle the same day, viewing workshops run by local craftspeople and meeting members of the community and local groups.

They return to Lostwithiel on Wednesday, the Duchess's birthday, to visit the newly restored Duchy Palace, after a £1 million regeneration by the Prince of Wales's Charity, the Prince's Regeneration Trust and the Cornwall Buildings Preservation Trust.

The Duchess will be presented with a cake as the town band plays Happy Birthday.

In Bude they will unveil a plaque commemorating the restoration and refurbishment of Stratton Community Hospital, and the Duchess will spend some time at the Children's Hospice South West's Little Harbour Hospice at Porthpean, near St Austell.

She will tour the facility and meet the children, their families and supporters.

---

Kayakers feared missing off coast of Porthtowan

July 15, 2013, 12:54 am

≫ Next: Jesse J gets wild in Eden's rainforest biome

≪ Previous: Lostwithel and the South West prepare for Royal visit

$

0

0

St Agnes RNLI lifeboat was launched last night following reports of two kayakers missing in thick mist off the coast of Porthtowan. Blue Peter IV lifeboat was launched at 9.15pm. The crew searched the area and found the kayakers, safe and well, and escorted them back to shore. Volunteer crew member Jamie Roberson said: "'The kayakers were surrounded by the sea mist and if they had not been familiar with the coastline, they could have easily become disorientated and got into difficulty."

Jesse J gets wild in Eden's rainforest biome

July 15, 2013, 1:20 am

≫ Next: Rooney comes to Cornwall for St Blazey friendly

≪ Previous: Kayakers feared missing off coast of Porthtowan

$

0

0

POP star Jessie J got hands-on with an exotic butterfly in the Eden Project's rainforest biome before her headline show at the Eden Sessions on Sunday. Jessie took a tour of the project's new rainforest aerial walkway and had a close encounter with one of the first butterflies to be released into the biome before she played her second successive sell-out concert at the iconic Cornwall venue. The walkway opens up the biggest rainforest in captivity in a new way and among the exciting experiences awaiting visitors is the chance to see up to 20 species of butterflies in flight. Jessie J was the final headliner of the 2013 Eden Sessions, the 12th year of the iconic gigs. Other headliners at Eden this summer included Kaiser Chiefs, Sigur Ros, The xx and comic superstar Eddie Izzard.

Rooney comes to Cornwall for St Blazey friendly

July 15, 2013, 1:52 am

≫ Next: St Agnes charity gardener's new lease of life

≪ Previous: Jesse J gets wild in Eden's rainforest biome

$

0

0

ST BLAZEY continue their preparations for the South West Peninsula League season when they entertain League Two Bury at Blaise Park on Tuesday night (7.30pm). And one player who could be included in Kevin Blackwell's Shakers' squad is John Rooney, younger brother of Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney. He signed for the club recently after being released by Barnsley at the end of last season and played in Saturday's 3-1 friendly defeat at home to Sheffield United. After Tuesday night's game in St Blazey, Blackwell, who worked with Blazey boss Bobby Oaten at Plymouth Argyle, will take Bury to Wadebridge Town on Thursday night for another friendly.

St Agnes charity gardener's new lease of life

July 15, 2013, 2:11 am

≫ Next: VIDEO & PICTURES: Bumper crowd at Stithians Show

≪ Previous: Rooney comes to Cornwall for St Blazey friendly

$

0

0

A St Agnes pensioner who retired from tending his community garden for just three days has opened a sensory garden for the blind and is working on a new scheme to encourage more wildlife into the garden. George Mannell, 80, who has been tending Chegwyn Gardens for nearly 20 years, raising thousands for local charities, retired in February. He planned to hang up his fork and spade after suffering heart problems and a mini stroke, but he returned within days saying his voluntary job helped banish the winter blues. He said: "Last summer and winter were so dreadful I wanted to get back in the garden. It has given me a new lease of life." As well as inviting the visually impaired with Cornwall Blind Association to enjoy his sensory garden, including 200 roses, he has also recorded a thank you film for local people who have helped him develop the site. Mr Mannell said: "St Agnes filmmaker, George Kimmins, filmed me with people who have worked on the garden. I thanked electrician, Peter Norman, who put in the Christmas lights and Michael Hocking, from Illogan, who made an archway. "I also wanted to thank the West Briton for its continued support of the garden." Cornwall Blind Association fundraising officer, verity Barker, said: "We have visited the garden and had a wonderful afternoon. We have a gardening club and want to send groups to tour the garden; it's fabulous." George landscaped the rough land following the untimely death of his first wife in 1993. His latest venture is to plant wild flowers and installing bird and bat boxes to encourage the wildlife. He also wants to grow wheat which he will mill and use to bake his own bread in the garden. "I want to advise people on how to grow roses and other flowers and explain how we made the bread using our own wheat. The gardens are a wonderful resource for all to enjoy. They are at the mercy of local teenagers who walk through the communal gardens but never cause any trouble or damage." His floral displays are raising funds for Cornwall Blind Association and animal charity PDSA.

VIDEO & PICTURES: Bumper crowd at Stithians Show

July 15, 2013, 2:44 am

≫ Next: Police find high-tech drug farm in secluded Penzance hamlet

≪ Previous: St Agnes charity gardener's new lease of life

$

0

0

MEDITERRANEAN weather has brought out a bumper crowd to the 179th Stithians Show. The one-day event was opened this morning by chairman Geoffrey Downing. He told the crowd: "It's the 20th show at the new showground. Pretty soon we'll have to stop calling it new." He then introduced this year's president, Reverend Danny Reed, who thanked all the show directors, exhibitors and judges, without whom none of this would be possible. The traditional opening march was led by St Stythians Band while the Stithians flag was hoisted by Rev Reed into the glorious sunshine. Rev Reed said: "This is without a doubt the best weather we have had in my five years being involved with the show. "It is a great honour that I declare the 179th Stithians show open." He added that this year there were 6,759 individual entries, which is more than last year. One of the exhibitors is Megan Stratton, who has been showing Ayrshires since she was one. The 11-year-old from the Rosehill herd in St Allen near Truro, told the West Briton: "They are really friendly, like people but friendlier. They are all like babies to me, they're part of the family." Megan's mum, Debbie Christophers offered her daughter the chance to go abseiling, surfing or participate in other fun activities like archery at summer camp with the rest of her classmates, but she chose to come to Stithians.

Police find high-tech drug farm in secluded Penzance hamlet

July 15, 2013, 3:07 am

≫ Next: Cornwall and Camborne - the hotspot for global science fair

≪ Previous: VIDEO & PICTURES: Bumper crowd at Stithians Show

$

0

0

POLICE have uncovered a sophisticated cannabis farm at a house in a quiet rural hamlet outside Penzance that could have reaped criminals £350,000 a year. CID officers found nearly 300 mature cannabis plants at a four bedroom house in Buryas Bridge that had been rigged with an estimated £20,000 worth of high-tech growing equipment. The drug factory was discovered by chance when the landlord of the rented property visited to carry out routine maintenance and found the windows blacked out. When he looked inside he found the entire house, just off the A30 between Penzance and Lands End, had been turned into a cannabis factory. He immediately informed police who visited the property with a drugs warrant on Thursday. The landlord, who has asked not to be named, told police the rent had been paid up front and in cash by a man he thought to be Chinese. Police believe the man who hired the house was a low-ranking "gardener" living in squalid conditions to tend the crop for others further up the criminal ladder. They say laboratory tests are still needed before they can estimate the worth of the 291 fully grown plants. But a similar sized haul in the past has been estimated to produce £40,000 worth of cannabis every six weeks – or £346,666 a year. Detective Constable Alex Pym said: "It was an extremely professional operation including the use of lighting and ventilations systems estimated to cost in excess of £20,000. "The exact value of the crop cannot be given although it is thought to be in the tens of thousands and of very high quality. "The tenant had been described by the landlord as a Chinese male who had paid up front for the property and then paid his rent in cash thereafter." Police are searching for the man but fear he may himself have been a victim of the criminals who planned to profit from the cannabis factory. DC Pym said: "It is more than likely that he is a victim, forced or pressured into his role as a gardener. There was evidence of him living a very squalid life in the address with only a few belongings and some basic foods. "We are pursuing forensic evidence to try and locate the gardener but he is going to be low down the criminal tree." Police in Penzance are asking people to be on the lookout for similar situations. DC Pym said: "Landlords should check the references thoroughly of any potential tenants and conduct regular checks of their properties. "They tend to look for properties that are out of the way so that the smell of the crop does not draw suspicion and that have large areas of ground space." On investigation police found the entire electrical system of the house had been expertly re-wired to circumvent the electrical meter and provide the large amount of power the sophisticated cultivation system required. DC Pym said: "It is also important that should a member of the public locate a cannabis grow that they are mindful of their own safety. "In this case someone with some electrical training had by-passed the electricity system and rewired the entire property to accommodate the ventilation and lighting they had installed. This was a very professional set up. "We had to contact EDF to get an engineer out to make it safe before we could search the building. "Clearly someone has invested a lot of money into this operation which would have run and run until discovered. We think this one was due its first harvest – but potentially if not discovered it could have just gone on and on even into the winter." Anyone with information can contact 101 and quote AP/13/1658 or call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Cornwall and Camborne - the hotspot for global science fair

July 15, 2013, 3:52 am

≫ Next: Falmouth student Wolfy Millington claims she was bullied in Big Brother house

≪ Previous: Police find high-tech drug farm in secluded Penzance hamlet

$

0

0

VISITORS from across the world were welcomed to Camborne and Cornwall last week with clear blue skies and scorching temperatures as the UK hosted its first ever International Student Science Fair (ISSF). The annual global event, now in its ninth year, was hosted by Camborne Science and International Academy (CSIA), and saw 28 high performing specialist science schools from countries as diverse as Guam in the Pacific to China, Iran, Japan, Singapore, USA and Russia travel to Cornwall for the five-day science extravaganza. The opening ceremony on Thursday last week was held at Princess Pavilions in Falmouth and was officially opened by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Education and Childcare, Elizabeth Truss, who delivered a talk to the audience. She said: "It's a fantastic event, I think science is a really important subject to make sure we're turning out the next generation of engineers and scientists." Prime Minister David Cameron contributed words of support for ISSF read by his former press secretary and Camborne, Redruth and Hayle MP George Eustice, in which he welcomed visitors from across the world to the UK, and congratulated CSIA for hosting the event. CSIA is the first school in Europe to host the fair, with the event unlikely to be held again in the UK or Europe for the next ten years. Principal Ian Kenworthy said: "We feel very proud to have held such a prestigious event. ISSF 2013 has been a wonderful experience not just as hosts, but for students, teachers, the local community and everyone involved. "It's about enhancing our global scientific network and inspiring the future generation of scientists." Cornwall delivered world-class venues and authentic experiences throughout ISSF, working closely with the University of Exeter, particularly the Tremough campus in Falmouth. A number of intriguing scientific research investigations took place at a range of locations chosen for their scientific significance including Camborne School of Mines, Pendennis Ship Yard, The National Lobster Hatchery, Eden Project, Falmouth Marine School and Scottish Power Wind Farm. Visitors also took part in a range of cultural activities including visiting Stithians Show, Land's End and St Michael's Mount, taking part in a traditional Cornish Ceilidh, surfing, horse-riding and not forgetting the Cornish pasty which was enjoyed by all. The theme for this year's ISSF was inspiration through collaboration encouraging participants to learn through team work and their shared passion for science. Multiple languages, cultures and traditions enriched the learning experience for all those involved, with lasting friendships and partnerships being formed. Throughout the event, participants were challenged, engaged and involved in scientific research - presenting their findings to the rest of the group. The closing Ceremony will take place today at the Princess Pavilions to formally close the ISSF and officially transfer to Sergey Semenov, Principal of the Moscow Chemical Lyceum, which will host the tenth ISSF next year.

---

Falmouth student Wolfy Millington claims she was bullied in Big Brother house

July 15, 2013, 4:08 am

≫ Next: Person shot in the hand with three foot fishing spear

≪ Previous: Cornwall and Camborne - the hotspot for global science fair

$

0

0

Evicted Big Brother housemate, Falmouth student Wolfy Millington has told a national newspaper she felt bullied by former policeman Dan Neal. The 20-year-old became the third housemate to be evicted on Friday and left the house to boos from the crowd. Speaking to the Sunday Star yesterday she said: "I was playing a game. I wasn't trying to impress anyone. I am gutted to be out because I was in it to win it but I've got enough friends." And she claimed Dan's questioning made her "emotional". "Being interrogated by him was the toughest part for me. That was my lowest moment," she said. "I really broke down in the diary room at one point because it got too much. It really started to affect me and I got quite emotional." The Falmouth University student, who described herself as a a lesbian, fisherwoman and practicing Shaman, insisted although viewers saw him "interrogating" her about her private life, they don't always see the "vicious" side to the show. She added: "I definitely felt victimised. And in that house if you're being bullied you can't escape the bully. "If you're tormented you can't get away. And you are literally sleeping next to the enemy. It's vicious in there. That doesn't come across on TV. "When I've watched the show I always thought people were idiots when they walked out but now I understand why people do it. He was interrogating me all the time - it was all day, every day." Despite her description of Dan, she claims twins Jack and Joe Glenny are "by far" the most deceitful housemates still in the competition. "They are by far the fakest housemates and they have a really good game plan. If they want an argument they will not back down and they can be quite bitchy," she said. Wolfy's eviction was the show's closest ever result in terms of number of votes, with about 150 votes separating her from her nearest rival Hazel. As the doors opened she egged on the jeering crowd with a shout of: "Come on is that all you've got!" They can boo all they want, it doesn't faze me," she told Emma Willis in her eviction interview. Wolfy was quizzed about her attitude in the house, after her declaration that she was likely to make the final caused her popularity to nosedive. "Anyone who says they're not in it to win it is just lying," she said. "I think Gina and Dexter found out my game plan, which kind of killed it." She said that she had intended to cause 'more mischief' in the house, and that there was a 'fine line between arrogance and confidence' but insisted she was on the right side of it. The broadcast of her exit was interrupted by an abrupt advert break, which started just as the front doors opened. Channel 5 blamed this on a 'technical error'.

Person shot in the hand with three foot fishing spear

July 15, 2013, 4:12 am

≫ Next: St Ives lifeboat enjoys a balmy rescue

≪ Previous: Falmouth student Wolfy Millington claims she was bullied in Big Brother house

$

0

0

Firefighters were called to Treliske Hopsital yesterday to help remove a fishing spear that had been shot through a person's hand. Firefighters from Truro Community Fire Station were called to the hospital at around 7.15pm. They used cutting equipment to remove the stainless steal spear with help from hospital staff.

St Ives lifeboat enjoys a balmy rescue

July 15, 2013, 5:00 am

≫ Next: Tax officers to target Cornish holiday industry over summer says expert

≪ Previous: Person shot in the hand with three foot fishing spear

$

0

0

ST IVES' all weather lifeboat The Princess Royal carried out one of its gentlest rescues when she was launched to assist a Newquay fishing boat after its rudder and propeller became fouled. The volunteer crew launched at 8.45am on Friday in a flat calm to the 10m fishing boat Galvadora which was approximately 14 miles north of St Ives. And they spent the rest of the day accompanied by dolphins. The lifeboat arrived at the fishing boat at 9.50am and began towing the boat, which had fishing gear fouling both rudder and propeller, back to Newquay. By 12.00 noon the fishing boat was safely alongside the harbour in Newquay and the lifeboat and volunteer crew returned to St Ives, arriving back at the harbour at 1.20pm. St Ives lifeboat Coxswain Paul Whiston said afterwards that the weather was "extremely kind" for the shout, and several of the crew commented that it was not often that they had a job in such benign conditions. Paul said The Princess Royal was also accompanied by various pods of dolphins for most of the day.

Tax officers to target Cornish holiday industry over summer says expert

July 15, 2013, 5:01 am

≫ Next: Man who hired a JCB and wrecked his former home is jailed

≪ Previous: St Ives lifeboat enjoys a balmy rescue

$

0

0

CORNWALL'S holiday sector should brace itself for some intensive scrutiny from tax inspectors over the coming months, according to a Truro expert. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs have announced that a taskforce will be focusing on the holiday industry. And James Bailey, tax partner at Robinson Reed Layton, said that means Cornwall holiday firms should be ready for some additional attention. He said: "In the last few years HMRC has devoted a significant amount of effort to the "taskforce" model of enforcement. "A taskforce is focussed on a specific sector and in some cases will offer a form of amnesty to anyone who has been operating within that sector and has failed to declare their income - recent examples include plumbers and doctors. Mr Bailey said HMRC taskforces don't just look for people in the "black economy". He said: "They also focus on properly registered and operated businesses to carry out intensive checks of their compliance with a range of tax legislation, such as the operation of PAYE, VAT returns and the keeping of proper business records. "Anyone operating in the local holiday industry should make sure that their house is in order." He added that some businesses were even investigating insurance against the cost of a tax investigation.

Man who hired a JCB and wrecked his former home is jailed

July 15, 2013, 5:17 am

≫ Next: Cornwall basks in sun as visitors enjoy champagne and oysters

≪ Previous: Tax officers to target Cornish holiday industry over summer says expert

$

0

0

A Chacewater man who caused £255,000 worth of damage when he hired a JCB to destroy his former home has been jailed for two and a half years. Christopher McGowan, 50, hired a JCB the digger from a nearby construction firm to destroy his former home near Truro after a million-pound property deal went sour. Sentencing him this morning at Truro Crown Court, Judge Christopher Harvey Clark described McGowan's actions as "spiteful" and "malicious". McGowan denied two counts of criminal damage but was found guilty after a three-day trial at Truro Crown Court last month. He had previously admitted to one count of forgery and one count of fraud, both of which related to the house. During the trial Philip Lee, for the CPS, told the jury that McGowan carried out the wrecking spree to "punish" the new owners of Silver Bow Farm at Greenbottom. The court heard that McGowan, of The Square, Chacewater, had already been evicted from his home and six acres of land, which had been sold to Janet Taylour for nearly half-a-million pounds. Mr Lee told the court McGowan had ripped out all of the fixtures and fittings at the property before ploughing into the rear ground-floor wall with the JCB.