A former Devon and Cornwall police officer has today been given a 20-month prison sentence suspended for two years for leaking sensitive information on multiple cases to her friends and family.

Samantha Hill, 33, from Plymouth pleaded guilty to 18 offences of misconduct in public office at Bristol Crown Court on 17 January 2025. She was also ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work.

A woman from Gloucestershire has been convicted of manslaughter in relation to the death of a baby.

In April 2020, shortly after the start of the Covid 19 lockdown, Melissa Wilband, 28, was living with her two young children, a two-year-old boy and five-month-old baby Lexi. 

On the night of 12 April paramedics were called to the house, where Lexi was found showing signs consistent with trauma. She was taken to Gloucester Royal Hospital, before being transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Bristol Children’s Hospital.

A vandal who caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a high street store has been jailed just four days after violent disorder broke out in Plymouth City Centre.

Justin Crimp, 49, was identified after footage clearly showed him at the front of the disorder and then throwing rocks and smashing the door of the TK Maxx store on Royal Parade during widespread unrest. He pleaded guilty to committing violent disorder and criminal damage and was jailed for 32 months at Plymouth Crown Court today.

The first sentences have been handed down in the South West for offenders involved in the violent disorder and looting in Plymouth City Centre on Monday.

Lucas Ormond Skeaping, 29, Daniel McGuire, 45, and Michael Williams, 51, all pleaded guilty to violent disorder yesterday and were sentenced at Plymouth Crown Court today. Guy Sullivan, 43, pleaded guilty to burglary and was also sentenced today at the same court.

They were jailed for 18, 26, 32 and 16 months respectively for their involvement in the violent unrest.