Molly Seaman

Seventeen-year-old Lucas, a Plymouth teenager whose rare neuroblastoma has returned, is undergoing treatment and has severe lung problems, hearing loss and limited mobility. He dreams of exploring Dartmoor with his family, but needs an expensive all-terrain wheelchair because a standard wheelchair would be unsafe on the terrain. His oncology nurse, Molly Dundas, and her partner Josh plan to walk 100km across Dartmoor over four days in September to raise money for the wheelchair and help Lucas create memories with his family.

A large branch split from a mature tree on New George Street in Plymouth city centre after witnesses heard a loud crack resembling a gunshot. Although people were nearby and the branch landed on chairs, everyone moved clear and no one was injured. Plymouth City Council said the tree had been inspected in July with no issues found beyond a need for pruning, but it was severely damaged and would be made safe and removed. Officials believe heat stress during the UK’s fifth heatwave may have contributed and warned that climate change could increase similar incidents.

A man in his 50s suffered minor injuries during an incident on Durnford Street in Stonehouse, Plymouth, on 15 August. A woman in her 40s was arrested on suspicion of assault, possessing an offensive weapon and making threats to kill, while police seized a knife. She was later released on police bail as enquiries continue. Police said the incident involved an alleged assault and did not confirm an unverified witness claim that it was a firearms incident.

The A38 Saltash Tunnel near the Tamar Bridge was closed in both directions after a collision involving a motorhome and a car on August 13. The crash caused lengthy delays extending toward Plymouth and Cornwall, with traffic backed up to locations including Crownhill, Carkeel and Manadon. Devon and Cornwall Police said a woman was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The road was closed for vehicle recovery and debris clearance before reopening at 4:32pm, although residual delays remained.

The A38 Saltash Tunnel is closed in both directions after a reported lorry crash near the Tamar Bridge. Emergency services are at the scene, and drivers are directed to follow separate B3271 diversion routes via North Road, New Road and Callington Road before rejoining the A38 at Carkeel or the Tamar Bridge. National Highways has warned of two-mile queues and delays of around 20 minutes ahead of rush hour.

A 13-year-old girl was reportedly photographed inappropriately by an unknown man while waiting for food at the McDonald’s on Pomphlett Road in Plymstock on 8 July 2026. Two men witnessed the incident and confronted him before he left. Devon and Cornwall Police later confirmed that the man sought through a public appeal had been identified and thanked people who provided information.

Shane Preston, a 48-year-old man known as Cornish, was found unconscious on a bench in Freedom Fields, Plymouth, on July 7 after a suspected drug overdose. He was taken to Derriford Hospital's intensive care unit but developed an infection related to drug use and died on July 19. His mother, Mandy, described him as a caring and well-loved member of communities in Plymouth and North Devon and launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for his cremation. A coroner's inquest heard details of the incident and his deteriorating health.

A car crashed into a lamppost and flipped on the A386 near Horrabridge, close to Plymouth, at about 5:10 p.m. on August 3, 2026. Only minor injuries were reported. The driver was reported to court for driving without due care and attention, while the crash caused long queues and blocked the road in both directions until 7:15 p.m.

A vehicle fire caused severe westbound congestion and temporary closures on the A38 Devon Expressway between the A3121 at South Brent/Wrangaton and the A374 at Crabtree near Ivybridge. Drivers reported being stuck in standstill traffic, with some leaving their vehicles, while emergency crews and recovery teams worked at the scene. National Highways later confirmed that all lanes had reopened after recovery work and carriageway treatment, with no significant delays reported on the approach.

Muhammad Ans was sentenced at Plymouth Crown Court to 20 years in prison, followed by three years on extended licence, after being convicted of four rapes against three women he met through Bumble, Badoo and Tinder between 2023 and 2025. The court heard that he ignored the victims’ clearly stated boundaries, later apologized or offered incentives to discourage them from reporting him, and denied that the sexual contact was non-consensual. Police evidence from his phone helped identify the first victim and link the cases. The victims described lasting psychological harm, while the judge called Ans’s lack of remorse deeply troubling. He must also remain on the sex offenders register for life.

Police in Plymouth carried out targeted patrols in Hoe, Jennycliffe and Mount Batten to address speeding, anti-social and careless driving. Officers detected several drivers travelling at 34–37 mph in 30 mph zones, issued advice, gave three Section 59 warnings to motorcyclists, filed three licence-related traffic offence reports and seized one vehicle under Section 60 of the Police Reform Act 2002. Police urged residents to report nuisance driving and submit dashcam footage.

Former Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander John Cursiter was sentenced to 33 months in prison after being convicted by court martial of sexually assaulting a subordinate, falsely imprisoning him and possessing cocaine. The court heard that Cursiter plied the junior submariner with alcohol and cocaine, photographed him asleep and took him to his cabin, where he carried out the assault and prevented the victim from leaving. The judge described the conduct as planned, predatory and incompatible with the standards expected of a senior officer. Cursiter was dismissed with disgrace and had already been administratively discharged from the Navy after testing positive for cocaine.

Michael Weekes, 34, has been given a three-year criminal behaviour order that will ban him from Plymouth city centre and more than 900 businesses participating in the Plymouth Against Retail Crime scheme after his release from prison. The order follows convictions for racially abusing a police officer and criminal damage, and also prohibits loitering outside businesses after being asked to leave and possessing open alcohol in public when instructed by police. He is expected to be released later in July, with police saying the restrictions are intended to disrupt his offending and deter future incidents.

A disposable barbecue is believed to have caused a moorland fire near Wembury Point, Devon, which damaged an area of gorse measuring about 100 by 100 metres. Seven fire crews battled the blaze for roughly five hours before extinguishing it shortly before midnight, with authorities describing the damage as significant.

Daniel Mizzi, from Plymouth, has been missing since he was last captured on CCTV in St Ives on December 8, 2023. His mother Karran and brother Jake say they remain desperate to learn whether he is alive or dead and have criticised Devon and Cornwall Police for providing no update for more than a year. The family is appealing to anyone who visited St Ives, St Erth or Carbis Bay, particularly coastal trails, to report anything seen or found that could help resolve the case.

A man in his 70s from the local area died at the scene after his car collided with a parked van on Military Road near Torpoint on June 29. Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that his next of kin had been notified. Roads between Donkey Lane and Cliff Lane were temporarily closed before restrictions were lifted several hours later.

A police cordon was placed at Endeavour Court in Stoke, Plymouth, after reports that a woman had been assaulted by a man at a property. Devon and Cornwall Police said officers attended and that the suspect injured himself while attempting to escape before being taken to hospital. Enquiries remained ongoing, while residents reported being told to stay inside and police carried out welfare checks.

Former Plymouth High School for Girls head of ICT Colin Wright died aged 75 after falling from his bicycle in Plymouth on May 27 and suffering life-threatening injuries. He died four days later at Derriford Hospital from an intracranial haemorrhage and poly-trauma. His family, former pupils and colleagues remembered him as a kind, energetic and inspiring teacher who left a lasting impact, while coroner Alison Longhorn opened an inquest into his death.

Plymouth Armed Forces Day returned to Plymouth Hoe on June 27, 2026, with parades, demonstrations, music, military aircraft flypasts and a Veterans' Village featuring more than 100 charities and organizations. A new Poppy of Honour Memorial displaying over 1.1 million remembrance poppies was unveiled, while evening performances continued with a free concert. Plymouth City Council thanked event sponsors and partners, and Councillor Matt Smith praised the event as an opportunity to recognize serving personnel, reservists, veterans and cadets.

Police and ambulance crews attended Royal Parade in Plymouth at around 2:20 p.m. on June 16 after concerns were raised about a woman’s welfare. The woman was located and detained under the Mental Health Act, while witnesses reported a significant emergency-service presence.

A five-year-old boy and his father were rescued from fast-flowing, deep water at Sharrow Beach in Whitsand, South East Cornwall. The boy entered a tidal gully and was quickly out of his depth; his father attempted to help but suffered a significant knee injury. RNLI lifeguards Tristan Gillett and Adam Knight pulled them both to safety, and the father was taken to Tregantle before going to hospital. The RNLI urged beachgoers to use lifeguarded beaches, swim between the red and yellow flags, check tide and weather conditions, and follow the Float to Live and Phone, Float, Throw guidance.

A man in his 40s was knocked unconscious and hospitalised with head and face injuries after a street fight involving several men on Moor View Terrace in Mutley, Plymouth, on June 8. He has since been discharged. A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent and affray, then released on bail. Devon and Cornwall Police are appealing for witnesses and CCTV or dashcam footage.

Police are seeking three men who may have information about an assault near Derry’s Cross Roundabout on Union Street in Plymouth on May 28. The male victim suffered injuries to his face, head and leg. Devon and Cornwall Police released CCTV images and asked anyone with information to contact them on 101 or through their website, quoting reference 50260136025.

A man was punched and robbed near The Navy pub on Southside Street in Plymouth’s Barbican at around 7:30pm on June 13. The attacker reportedly stole cash and a bank card, leaving the victim with facial injuries. Devon and Cornwall Police are appealing for witnesses and relevant footage, citing incident reference 50260151699.

A motorcyclist from North Devon died in hospital on June 15, ten days after suffering serious injuries in a two-vehicle crash involving a car on the A386 near Yelverton and Buckland Abbey. The road was closed for several hours after the June 5 collision. Devon and Cornwall Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with relevant dashcam footage.