Nick Irving

Kevin Cross, 69, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court to 12 years in prison after being convicted of repeatedly abusing his stepson when the boy was aged nine to 15. The abuse included striking him, humiliating him and tying him up and hanging him from attic rafters for hours. Cross was also convicted of an attempted serious sexual offence and indecent assault. The stepson died from cancer before the trial, but his recorded evidence helped secure the conviction. Cross must serve half of the sentence in custody before becoming eligible for release on licence.

An inquest heard that 47-year-old Clare Laskey from The Lizard died after a Kia Ceed carrying her and her partner aquaplaned on the A30 at Whiddon Down in Devon, rolled onto its roof and returned to the carriageway. As Laskey tried to escape, a lorry struck the unlit car in heavy rain and darkness. The lorry driver had only about one second to react, while Laskey's partner escaped without serious injury. Area coroner Alison Longhorn concluded that Laskey died in a road traffic collision from multiple injuries.

A Devon and Cornwall Police special sergeant was dismissed after posting a Facebook photo wearing a T‑shirt featuring an offensive slogan and imagery linked to a band known for highly abusive lyrics. A misconduct panel ruled the behavior constituted gross misconduct, noting that retaining him would damage public trust and fail to deter similar actions. The officer admitted the facts but expressed little remorse, saying he intentionally wore the shirt despite knowing it was offensive.

Keiran McKeowan was jailed for 37 months for an extended period of coercive and violent abuse against a woman, including physical assaults, strangulation, humiliation and threats with knives. The court heard he continued harassment after she escaped by impersonating her online. The judge imposed a ten‑year restraining order, citing the fear and psychological harm McKeowan caused.