'Nail in coffin' of hunting ban as foxhunter wins High Court ruling

TONY Wright, the first huntsman to be prosecuted under the Hunting Act, today won a High Court ruling which was immediately hailed as a new blow to the Labour Government’s anti-hunting legislation.
The two judges found in favour of Mr Wright (pictured) and rejected an appeal by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), meaning the prosecution of many Hunting Act offences will now be more difficult.
The League Against Cruel Sports brought a private prosecution against Mr Wright after he led out the Exmoor Foxhounds in April, 2005, just a few weeks after the Act came into force.
He was alleged to have signalled the hounds to pursue two foxes at Drybridge, on the Devon side of the county boundary, twice allowing them a ‘prolonged period of pursuit’.
Under the law, only flushing out foxes to be shot is still legal.
Mr Wright, now aged 54, of Simonsbath, was convicted in Barnstaple Magistrates Court in August, 2006, and was fined £500 and ordered to pay £250 costs.
However, the conviction was overturned by in Exeter Crown Court in November, 2007.
Now, a CPS appeal against his acquittal has been lost in the High Court.
The CPS argued it should have been for Mr Wright to prove that he had been hunting legally, and that ‘hunting a mammal’ includes ‘searching’ for it.
After the case, Mr Wright said he was relieved it was now all over and he hoped the case had put one of the final nails in the coffin of the Hunting Act.
He said: “This prosecution has now dragged on for over three years and during that time I have been living under the threat of a criminal conviction.
“If this judgment, though, makes it less likely that other people will face the sort of vindictive prosecution that I have been through, then it has all been worth it.”
Countryside Alliance chief executive Simon Hart said: “Even before today’s judgment only five people connected to hunts have been convicted of any offence since the Act came into force.
“The CPS argued in court that if it lost this appeal ‘prosecutions under the 2004 Act would rarely be viable’, so there should now be even fewer prosecutions.
“The Hunting Act is an increasingly pointless piece of legislation that offered little and has achieved less.
“Politicians of all parties are coming to realise that it has failed and it is now a question of when, not if, the Hunting Act is repealed.”
The ruling means those accused of breaching the hunt ban will be innocent until proven guilty, with the burden of proof lying with those bringing a prosecution.
Legal expert Tim Hayden, chairman of Taunton law firm Clarke Willmott, said: “This decision will reduce the risk of people being convicted where they are unable to recall or to prove the events that may have happened many months earlier.
“I would expect a reduction in the number of such cases being brought before the courts.”

Arrests top 180 in Christmas drink-drive crackdown

MORE than 180 people have been arrested since the launch of Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s Christmas drink-drive crackdown on December 1.
The total of 183 arrests included 26 across the West Somerset policing area.
The campaign is part of a national move to target irresponsible and dangerous drivers over the festive period.
Supt Andy Pullan, of force’s the road policing unit, said: “"This campaign is about reminding people that drinking alcohol and driving is a lethal combination.
“Everybody is aware of the dangers, but there are still the reckless few who are prepared to gamble on others and their own lives.
“Each year 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured nationally on our roads in drink-drive related crashes.
“Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink could lead to a penalty of six months imprisonment, a fine of up to £5,000, and a minimum 12 month driving ban.
“Campaigns like this reinforce the message that drinking and getting behind the wheel of a car is unacceptable.
“We will continue to show drivers that they will get caught if they drink and drive and there are severe consequences when they do.”
Officers have been carrying out high visibility road-side checks across known drink-drive hotspots throughout the force area and taking the opportunity to provide law abiding motorists with some car crime prevention advice.

EXCLUSIVE: £1 million High Court patent case hangs over West Somerset employer

AN award-winning former Watchet company is jointly facing a landmark High Court action against it with the potential for damages and costs of greater than £1 million if the case was lost.
Choice Stationery Ltd, which was based at the Smithyard, just outside Watchet, and has since relocated to Taunton, is part of the Choice Media Group which used to own Quaywest Radio.
The company expects to be in court for a trial which has been set for next June, when it will defend an action brought against it by ink cartridge manufacturer Seiko Epson Corporation.
Whichever way the case goes, the result will have major implications for the way ‘compatible ink cartridges’ are produced and sold by UK firms such as Choice Stationery.
Seiko Epson Corporation has filed allegations of a total of 10 patent infringements by Choice and two other firms, Medea International Ltd and Ebuyer (UK) Ltd.
The corporation filed its first case against the trio in February, 2006, but has since settled out of court with Medea in respect of the six specific allegations within the legal action.
It is still pursuing Choice and Ebuyer for what it says are ‘patent infringements caused by their dealings in certain ink cartridges which are compatible with Epson printers’ and this is expected to reach the stage of a trial in June, 2009.
Seiko began a second case against Choice, Medea, and Ebuyer regarding a further four similar allegations in October of last year.
Choice produces its own brand of compatible ink cartridges, called Think, which it says offers 80 per cent savings on manufacturers’ originals.
In 2005, it introduced the ThinkPlus cartridge in an apparent bid to head off possible legal action by Seiko Epson.
Choice said at the time the new cartridge was the ‘first major patented innovation in inkjet cartridge construction since their conception’.
The firm boasted: “This is the future of compatible cartridges, and although more expensive to produce than past products it still offers a huge cost saving against originals
“With the original manufacturers fighting to regain their stranglehold on replacement printer cartridge supply by threatening legal action against manufacturers and suppliers of compatible cartridges, there are many competitors ‘selling off’ lower quality products to reduce stock holdings.
“Epson’s actions will force competitors out of the market, even some of the legitimate ones who cannot face the cost of defending themselves.”
The move, however, did not stop Seiko Epson launching its two legal actions against Choice, which are said to hinge on the use/copying of a patented cartridge design and/or the use/copying of a patented ink formula.
Seiko has already earned itself a reputation worldwide for ‘suing the pants off people who manufacture compatible cartridges on the grounds of patent infringement’.
Koichi Endo, Seiko Epson’s chief operating officer, consumer products operations division, defended the legal actions.
He said: “As one of the world’s leading imaging companies, Epson commits a significant human and financial investment to product research and development.
“Although Epson welcomes fair competition in the ink cartridge marketplace, infringement of Epson patented technology and innovation undermines this investment and provides an unfair advantage to those companies acting illegally.
“As such, we intend to protect our patents against any infringement and we continue to pursue our legal action.”
Choice Media Group, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, was founded, and is now chaired, by Paul Andrews, who is also well-known a Special Constable in West Somerset.
It has combined with long-established Taunton firm Wessex Malthouse to offer design, office supplies, and printing.
Its group headquarters in Taunton was officially opened last autumn by MP Jeremy Browne, and it more recently moved into new premises in Minehead’s Mart Road Business Park.
Choice has twice won ‘Best Consumables Supplier’ in the Computer Active Awards, and Wessex Malthouse won the British Office and Stationery Supplies Dealer Excellence Award in 2006.
Last year, Choice was runner-up in the BOSS Technology Award for its investment in an innovative website.

• Our photograph shows Choice Media staff outside their group headquarters building. Photo submitted.

Second benefits cheat given 'slapped wrist' by magistrates

A SECOND West Somerset benefits cheat has been let off by magistrates after the district council took a prosecution to court.
Ian Ware, aged 41, of The Glebe, Timberscombe, claimed nearly £5,000 in housing benefit and council tax benefit to which he was not entitled.
His fraud was committed over a 14-month period from February of last year to April of this year, during which time Ware dishonestly failed to notify the council of changes to his circumstances.
Despite having found work, Ware did not promptly tell the council and continued to receive a total of £3,704.27 in housing benefit and £1,097.31 in council tax benefit to which he was not entitled.
Ware, who had since started to pay back the over-paid benefits at a rate of less than £10 a week, pleaded guilty to the offence.
The magistrates gave him credit for an early guilty plea and the fact he was already making some repayments to the council.
They conditionally discharged Ware for 12 months, which meant he would not be further punished if he kept out of trouble during that time.
The court did not make any order for compensation as arrangements were already in place.
Following the hearing, West Somerset Council finance portfolio holder, Councillor Doug Ross, appealed for the public to report anybody they suspected of dishonestly claiming benefits.
Councillor Ross said the council had a fraud hotline on 01984 635236 which people could call anonymously to tip off the authority’s benefits team.
He said: “It is made clear to benefits claimants that the responsibility to report changes in circumstances lies with them.
“Our benefits team is on hand to help anybody who may find themselves in difficult circumstances and we would advise people to contact the team if they need to.
“Failure to do so will lead to our fraud team taking action against people who are dishonestly claiming benefits to which they are not entitled.”

'Slapped wrist' for £1,600 Watchet benefits cheat

A BENEFITS cheat who dishonestly claimed more than £1,600 has been given a ‘slap on the wrist’ by West Somerset magistrates after the district council prosecuted him.
Eric Gitsham, aged 49, of Maglands Road, Watchet, pleaded guilty to failing to notify the council of a change in circumstances while he was receiving housing and council tax benefits.
By not declaring that his wife had been working during the 15 months from April of last year to July of this year, Gitsham was paid £1,377.02 in housing benefit and £251.02 in council tax benefit to which he was not entitled.
The magistrates gave Gitsham credit for making an early guilty plea and they took into account his current financial circumstances - both he and his wife were now unemployed.
Gitsham was conditionally discharged for 12 months, which meant he would not be further punished for the offence if he stayed out of trouble during that time.
A compensation order was also made for Gitsham to repay to the council the overpayment of benefit at £10 a week.
District council finance portfolio holder Councillor Doug Ross said after the court hearing: “People who break the law by claiming benefits they are not entitled to should be aware that our fraud team will take action against them.
“If convicted in court, they will also find themselves with a criminal record.
“It is vital that people claiming benefits report changes in their circumstances to our benefits team immediately, as we are here to help those facing hardship.
“If people suspect somebody of claiming benefits fraudulently, they can report them anonymously on our confidential benefit fraud hotline on 01984 635236.
“All the caller needs to do is leave the name of the person suspected and details of the alleged fraud.
“We can simply check out the details and if fraud is proven, we can act to stop hard-working taxpayers footing the bill for this criminal activity.”

Expect the worst if you drink and drive this Christmas, say police

EXPECT to be stopped, expect to be breathalysed, and, if you are over the limit, expect to lose your licence - is the robust message police are sending out to motorists who drink and drive.
As officers launch their annual Christmas drink-drive crackdown today, they are sending out a clear message:

• If you drive on the roads of Avon and Somerset this Christmas and you have had a drink, expect to get stopped, expect to be breathalysed, and if you are over the limit, expect to lose your licence, possibly your job, and in some cases your liberty.


• Ask yourself, is it really worth it?

With young men making up the bulk of drink-drive offenders, police are seeking to drive home the message that unless they resist the temptation to drink, or make other arrangements to go home safely, they risk wrecking their future for the sake of one night out.
Supt Andy Pullan, the officer in charge of the force’s road policing unit, said: “Although drink-driving is a year-round problem we tackle day-in, day-out, the temptations of Christmas parties and impromptu drinks after work can mean people who might otherwise be more organised and make arrangements to get home are tempted to get behind the wheel when they should not.
“Rather than getting hung up on ‘safe limits’, our advice is that if you are driving, do not drink at all.
“One drink alone is enough to have an effect on your reactions and perceptions and put your own and other, innocent, people’s lives at risk.”
Police plan to stop and check an estimated 10,000 motorists during the festive period and will take the opportunity to speak to each one about the dangers of drink-driving and provide general crime reduction and personal safety advice.
Last Christmas, a total of 216 motorists were arrested for drink-driving across the force and 549 of those breathalysed were involved in a collision.
Supt Pullan said: “A really important part of this campaign is our appeal to members of the public to do their bit by telling us about people they suspect regularly or intend to drink and drive.
“If people do not feel confident to challenge the driver themselves, then it is imperative they contact us so we can take action.
“Nobody should risk having the death of somebody on their conscience for the sake of a phone call.”
Anybody with information about drink-drivers should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where they do not have to give their name and they could receive a reward.
In urgent cases where it is suspected somebody is driving or about to drive while drunk, thereby putting life at risk, people should dial 999.
Anybody caught driving over the limit faces a minimum punishment of:

• A conviction in court


• A driving ban of at least 12 months


• An endorsement of their driving licence for 11 years - meaning it will be 11 years before their licence is ‘clean’ again


• A criminal record


• They could also face a fine of up to £5,000 and a six-month prison sentence

EXCLUSIVE: Quaywest radio has new owners after parent put into administration

QUAYWEST 102.4 FM Radio was under new ownership this week after parent company Laser Broadcasting sold the Watchet-based station and four others in its stable.
It follows Laser going into administration last week to avoid a winding-up order which had been filed in the High Court by one of its creditors.
Business rescue specialist Begbies Traynor was called in to sell off the Laser’s assets, which included subsidiary Laser South West, the owner of the five loss-making stations.
Begbies Traynor quickly arranged for property developer John Roberts to buy the five Laser South West stations though his Exeter-based company South West Radio Ltd.
The news will be a blow for Quaywest station manager Dave Englefield, who had put together a rescue deal to temporarily run it along with Bridgwater sister station Quaywest 107.4, with a view to buying both once Laser’s affairs were straightened out.
Mr Englefield created Bridgwater Broadcasting Services to keep the two stations going and had teamed up with Bridgwater firm Southwest Media Consulting.
The other Laser stations sold to South West Radio were Bath FM, Brunel FM, and Warminster-based 3TR, all of which were only acquired by Laser in June of this year.
South West Radio spokesman Paul Roberts, son of John Roberts, said: “We are very excited.
“From a business point of view we really believe that the station can continue to be a vital part of the local community.
“We have some excellent skills already situated in the station and are working closely with the staff to help them out of the tough period that they have experienced recently under the previous arrangement.
“We aim to continue and improve on what works so well, maintaining quality local radio.”
In Bath, the Laser station was also being run temporarily by a local business, Triple Media, which said it was ‘looking after’ the station with a view to purchasing it.
Triple Media chief executive Gary Cottier-Jansen said he been running the station ‘on Laser’s behalf’ for the several weeks and that he still wanted to acquire it.
Other stations owned by Laser are Sunshine 106.2, Sunshine Gold, Sunshine AM, and Fresh Radio. There was no word on their future.

Administrators of Quaywest parent Laser look to sell off radio stations

ADMINISTRATORS have been appointed to Laser Broadcasting, which owns West Somerset station Quaywest 102.4 FM, based in Watchet, and Bridgwater’s Quaywest 107.4 FM.
The Darlington-based parent company applied to High Court, in Leeds, to be placed into administration in order to pre-empt an attempt by a creditor to have it liquidated.
A winding-up petition had been sought by Capital North East No1 Ltd Partnership, a Gateshead-based venture capitalist.
Laser Broadcasting owns seven other stations in the UK, including Bath FM, Brunel FM, in Swindon, and 3TR, in Warminster.
Solicitor Robert Abblestone, of CW Harwood and Co, in Leeds, who presented the winding-up order, said: “Laser has now been placed into administration with immediate effect.
“I cannot comment on what that will mean for the nine radio stations they own.”
However, experts from business rescue firm Begbies Traynor were appointed on Friday as administrators for the failed radio group.
Andy Haslam, of Begbies Traynor, said: “The radio stations will now go under an extended marketing period, where companies can bid for them.
“I understand that Brunel FM will be part of three radio stations in the South West, and two others, which will be sold together as a group.
“We have successfully rescued the radio stations. It is up to the new owners to take it from here.”
The other Laser stations are three Sunshine-branded studios in Ludlow, Hereford and Worcester, and Hereford and Monmouth, and Fresh Radio, based in Skipton, in the North Yorkshire Dales.

Future of Quaywest takes a twist in the High Court

THE fate of Quaywest 102.4 FM, West Somerset’s only commercial radio station, has taken another twist as its parent company applied to be placed into administration.
Laser Broadcasting, which owns nine stations nationwide, was facing a winding-up order in the High Court, in Leeds, yesterday.
But the company is understood to have applied for administration procedures before the court could hear the winding-up order.
Now, the application by Laser is due to be heard in the High Court on Friday, October 24.
The attempt to liquidate Laser was made by one of its creditors, Gateshead-based venture capitalist Capital North East No1 Ltd Partnership.
But Laser, based in Darlington, made a pre-emptive application of its own to be placed into administration.
Watchet-based Quaywest has continued to broadcast, although staff are understood not to have been paid since July, and its website and email facilities have been withdrawn.
Its sister station in Bridgwater, Quaywest 107.4 FM, previously known as BCR FM, has been in a similar position.
Laser Broadcasting’s other seven stations are Bath FM, Brunel FM, three Sunshine-branded stations in Ludlow, Hereford and Worcester, and Hereford/Monmouth, Fresh Radio, in the Yorkshire Dales, and 3TR, based in Warminster.
One of the founders of Laser in 2002 was Nigel Reeve, who was the launch sales and marketing director of Classic FM.
Nobody from Laser was available for comment.

Winding-up order for Quaywest parent could see radio station close

THE company behind West Somerset commercial radio station Quaywest 102.4 FM could be wound up in the High Court next week.
Parent company Laser Broadcasting Group has been suffering financial difficulties, despite operations director Stuart Linnell issuing a strong denial to The Post just five months ago.
As well as Watchet-based Quaywest, Laser runs nine stations nationwide, including a sister Quaywest station in Bridgwater.
Laser faces winding up proceedings after an application by a creditor, understood to be Capital North East No 1 Ltd Partnership, a venture capitalist firm based in Gateshead.
Quaywest continues broadcasting from its Watchet and Bridgwater studios, but may have to close unless an offer is made to take over the licences.
A spokesman for NEL Fundmanagers Ltd said: “As fund managers of the Capital North East investment fund, from which an investment was made in Laser Broadcasting in 2004, we have been working with Laser for many months in an attempt to find a way forward which would allow the company to trade within the terms of our investment agreement.
“However, these efforts have failed to result in a satisfactory outcome and we have therefore reluctantly had to seek a winding-up order against Laser Broadcasting, which will be heard in Leeds on October 14.”
Broadcasting regulator Ofcom said the petition to wind up Laser Broadcasting would be heard by a High Court judge sitting in Leeds on Tuesday, October 14.
A spokesman for Ofcom said: “We are monitoring developments closely.
“The company is keeping us fully informed, and is seeking to ensure the radio stations are able to continue broadcasting in the best interests of their staff and listeners.
“In these circumstances, until the winding-up order is heard by the court next week we are aware that the stations may not be able to fully comply with their format requirements.
“We do not propose to take any formal action against the licensees during this period.”
Darlington-based Laser was formed in 2002, and included among its founders Nigel Reeve, who was launch sales and marketing director of Classic FM.
Three of Laser’s other stations -Bath FM, Brunel FM, in Swindon, and Warminster-based 3TR - were only acquired from The Local Radio Co less than six months ago.
Laser also owns three Sunshine-branded stations in Ludlow, Hereford and Worcester, and Hereford and Monmouth, as well as Fresh Radio, in the Yorkshire Dales.
Nobody from Laser Broadcasting was available to comment.

Chilcott killers sentenced to three years - but could be free in 18 months

TWO young West Somerset men who killed Minehead gardener Tim Chilcott in an unprovoked street attack were today each sentenced to three years in custody.
But Daniel Cain (pictured, right), who was 16 at the time of the killing and is now aged 17 of Porlock, and Sean Wylds (pictured, below), aged 20, of Alcombe, Minehead, are likely to be free again within 18 months.
The pair were drunk when they set upon 36-year-old Mr Chilcott as he walked home through Minehead town centre in the early hours of January 20 this year.
Mr Chilcott was punched to the ground in Blenheim Road and hit his head on the road, suffering a 10-inch fracture of his skull and internal bleeding.
He died 36 hours later in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, without regaining consciousness.
Cain and Sean Wylds denied Mr Chilcott’s manslaughter but were found guilty by a jury after a trial in Exeter Crown Court in July.
Judge Graham Cottle - who previously pledged ‘zero tolerance’ for drunken yobs - said in sentencing the pair today: “This was yet another act of senseless unprovoked violence carried out by young men affected by drink.
“A man walking home alone, minding his own business, posing no conceivable threat to anybody is punched to the ground and dies of his injuries.”
Because of his young age, Cain was sentenced to be detained in a young offenders’ institution, while Wylds was sent to prison.
However, Wylds will have dedeucted from his sentence the 121 days already served on remand in jail, while Cain, who had been free on bail for much of the time, will have 31 days served in custody deducted from his sentence.
Both will be liable for early release, and could therefore spend less than 18 months in custody.
Cain’s identity had been protected throughout the trial due to Section 39 of the Children and Young Persons Act, which prevents the press identifying criminals, aged under 18 years.
However, following an application by local newspaper the Somerset County Gazette, Judge Cottle lifted the anonymity.
Cain had no previous convictions, while Wylds had a reprimand and penalty notice for battery in March, 2005, and for public disorder just two months before the deadly attack on Mr Chilcott.
During the trial, the court heard how Cain had drunk 12 pints of strong Stella Artois lager during a drinking binge with Wylds and six friends on the night in question.
He picked up some Argos catalogues from a shop doorway and thought ‘it would be fun’ to throw them at the first person who walked past, which happened to be Mr Chilcott.
Then, Wylds confronted Mr Chilcott and goaded Cain into attacking him.
Cain punched Mr Chilcott resulting in his death.
Judge Cottle said the jury had ‘no difficulty in rejecting the fanciful proposition advanced by each of you that you were acting in self-defence’ in a fight with Mr Chilcott.
He said he had no doubt that social problems highlighted by the case needed to be addressed at different levels.
Judge Cottle said: “All the courts can do is to demonstrate in the sentence passed that the public have had enough of being frightened away from town and city centres by the prospect of witnessing an incident of this sort.”
Mr Chilcott’s mother, Sylvia, said in a victim impact statement: “This was an act of senseless, violent stupidity.
“We hope all those involved will always remember that they destroyed the life of a wonderful young man and have shattered the lives of all who knew him.
“We hope the people involved in taking Tim’s life realise the devastating effect that their actions have had on so many other people’s lives.”
She hoped the case would ‘deter people from taking the same path of those involved in Tim’s death on the night they took him away from us’.
Det Supt Russ Nurcombe, who was involved with the investigation, said: “This tragic and unnecessary act was fuelled by drink and violent behaviour.
“We are satisfied with the verdict today and are pleased with the judge’s comments.”

EXCLUSIVE: Third teenager is charged after Tim Chilcott killing

A THIRD teenager has been charged with involvement in the killing of Minehead gardener Tim Chilcott.
The 18-year-old had been arrested at the time but was allowed bail while police continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Chilcott's death.
He was charged today (Friday, February 22) with the offence of affray and was named as David Hayes, who lives in Winsford.
Hayes is due to appear before magistrates sitting in Minehead on Friday, March 7.
Two other teenagers arrested with Hayes were subsequently charged with the more serious offence of manslaughter.
They are 19-year-old Sean Wylds, of Alcombe, Minehead, and a 16-year-old Porlock youth whose identity is protected by the law because of his age.
They are both due to make a second appearance in Exeter Crown Court on March 18.
Wylds has been remanded in custody, but the 16-year-old was given bail by the judge on condition he lived in the meantime with relatives in London and observed a nighttime curfew.
Mr Chilcott, aged 36, was found unconcious in Minehead town centre in the early hours of Sunday, January 20.
He died 36 hours later in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, where he had been put on a life support machine.
Mr Chilcott, who lived with his elderly parents in Hillview Close, Minehead, had suffered severe head injuries. The results of a post mortem to determine the cause of death have not been released, because of the forthcoming trial.

Judge frees manslaughter charge youth on bail

ONE of two youths accused of killing Minehead man Tim Chilcott has been released from custody by a judge.
The 16-year-old was granted bail when he appeared on a manslaughter charge in Exeter Crown Court yesterday, Tuesday, January 29.
Judge Graham Cottle ordered the youth to live with a relative in Edmonton, London, while on bail and to report to his local police station every Friday.
The judge also imposed an 8 pm to 6 am curfew on the teenager and banned him from entering Somerset other than to attend appointments with his legal team.
The youth was further ordered not to contact any witnesses in the case, nor any other defendants.
The teenager appeared in court with 19-year-old Sean Wylds, of Alcombe, Minehead, who was also charged with manslaughter following Mr Chilcott's death in hospital on January 21, 36 hours after he had been found unconscious in a Minehead town centre street.
Wylds was remanded in custody.
Judge Cottle adjourned the hearing for seven weeks while prosecution papers were prepared, with a view to taking a plea and holding a case management hearing five weeks later.

• Meanwhile, an inquest into Mr Chilcott's death was opened yesterday, when evidence was given that he died from a fractured skull.
  Two policemen who found Mr Chilcott lying at the junction of Blenheim Road and The Avenue at first thought he was all right but then realised he had blood on his mouth and chin and that the pupils of his eyes were dilated.

Family statement published as manslaughter charge youths appear before judge

THE family of Timothy Chilcott, who was killed in a street attack in Minehead on the weekend before last, today (Tuesday, January 29) released a statement in memory of him.
The statement was on behalf of his parents Fred and Sylvia, his brother Kevin, and his sister Heather, brother-in-law Phill, sister-in-law Jayde, and nephew Rhyley.
It came as two teenagers accused of killing Tim Chilcott were due to appear before a judge in Exeter Crown Court today at the start of committal proceedings.
Sean Wylds, aged 19, from Minehead, and a 16-year-old youth, also from Minehead, whose identity is currently protect by the law because he is under 18, face charges of manslaughter.They have been in custody since an initial appearance before magistrates in Taunton last Tuesday, and it was expected they would again be remanded in custody by the judge.A third youth, aged 18 years, who was arrested along with Wylds and the 16-year-old, also from Minehead, is currently on police bail while further inquiries are carried out.
Mr Chilcott was found unconscious with severe head injuries in Blenheim Road, Minehead, at 1 am on Sunday, January 20.
He died in hospital 36 hours later after being on a life support machine.
The family statement said: “Tim was the best and most loving son and brother that we could have ever wished for.
“He was very caring, not just to us his family, but was always there for anybody who needed him.
“He will always be remembered for his pearls of wisdom, jokes and laughter with everybody, and had a good sense of humour.
“For us his family, we feel a great loss of a son and brother that we loved so very much.
“To know that Tim was so special to so many people is helping us cope with our loss.
“We would like to thank everybody for their support and their kindness.”
The family requested the media not to contact them directly and asked to be left ‘to grieve at this sad time’.
West Somerset coroner Michael Rose was also today due to open Mr Chilcott's inquest for identification purposes before adjourning to a date to be fixed.

Magistrates order Minehead manslaughter charge teenagers to be kept in custody

TWO young men have been kept in custody after appearing in court on charges of the manslaughter of 36-year-old Tim Chilcott, of Minehead.
Nineteen-year-old Shaun Wylds, of Lower Meadow Road, Alcombe, Minehead, and a 16-year-old, of Porlock, whom the law prevents from being identified, appeared before Taunton Deane magistrates sitting in Taunton this afternoon, Tuesday, January 22.
They were accused of killing Mr Chilcott, who suffered serious head injuries in an early-hours attack in Minehead town centre on Sunday and who died in hospital 36 hours later after being on a life-support machine.
Applications by their solicitors for the pair to be freed on bail were refused by the magistrates and they were instead remanded in custody.
Wylds and his co-defendant will now appear in Exeter Crown Court next Tuesday, January 29.
A third man arrested in connection with the killing of Mr Chilcott was released on police bail pending further inquiries before today's court hearing. He is 18-years-old.

Teenagers face manslaughter charges after Minehead attack man dies

TWO of three teenagers arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of a Minehead man in a street fight at the weekend were appearing in court today, Tuesday, January 22.
Nineteen-year-old Sean Wylds, of Minehead, and a 16-year-old youth who cannot be named because the law protects the identity of those under 18 years, were facing reduced charges of manslaughter as they appeared before magistrates in Taunton.
They had been held in custody at Minehead Police Station since Monday, when 36-year-old Tim Chilcott (pictured) died from injuries he received in the incident.
A third youth, aged 18 years, was also held in custody but was later released on police bail pending furter inquiries.
Mr Chilcott suffered serious head injuries in an attack which was thought to have started outside Minehead's Wellington Hotel and then continued through The Parade and into Blenheim Road, where he collapsed unconscious at about 1 am on Sunday.
He was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, where he was put on a life support machine, but he died at mid-day on Monday.
Mr Chilcott, who was a self-employed gardener, lived in the Periton area of Minehead. His parents live in Hillview Close, Minehead.
A Home Office pathologist was due later today to carry out a post mortem on Mr Chilcott at Southmead Hospital, in Bristol, to determine how he died.

Police wear white ribbons to highlight domestic violence awareness week

VICTIMS of domestic violence are being urged to have the courage to come forward and report the abuse during a week-long campaign to highlight the improved support on offer as part of the regional Domestic Violence Awareness Week.
Across Somerset, more domestic violence offenders are being brought to justice thanks to the launch of specialist courts which increase the conviction rate, multi-agency risk assessment conferences to protect high-risk victims, and independent domestic violence advocates (IDVAs) to offer ongoing one-on-one support.
Last year, there were more than 14,500 recorded domestic violence incidents in the Avon and Somerset Constabulary area, of which 19 per cent of victims were male and 81 per cent were female.
Police Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Roberts, who is in charge of the force's response to domestic violence, said: “Our officers attend more than 180 domestic violence incidents a week.
“We do everything in our power to encourage these victims to accept the support we and our partners can offer and work with us to ensure the person subjecting them to violence or emotional abuse is brought to justice.
“Anybody can experience domestic violence, and it can happen in all kinds of relationships regardless of social group, class, age, race, or sexuality.
“The violence can take many forms from physical assault and sexual abuse to psychological abuse such as threats and criticism, or financial abuse.
“We know that there are many more women and men suffering at the hands of abusive partners or relatives who, for whatever reason, do not feel they can come forward.
“Our plea to them is to have the courage to take that first step, either by contacting the police direct, or seeking the advice and support of one of our partner agencies, and trust us to help them turn their lives around.”
To mark the week, police officers throughout the force will be wearing a white ribbon (pictured) to promote awareness of domestic violence and encourage people never to commit, condone, or remain silent about the crime.
ACC Roberts said: “While still supporting the victims of domestic violence 100 per cent, we are now much more focused on investigating the offence and getting the offenders charged and held to account for their actions.
“Positive action, taken early on, can save endless suffering and abuse and I believe in some cases can prevent what may otherwise lead to domestic murders.”
Avon and Somerset Police now has three specialist domestic violence courts located in Bridgwater, Yeovil, and South Gloucestershire.
The first, launched in Bridgwater in 2005, has already seen a 10 per cent increase in the number of offenders convicted, while the number of cases collapsing has reduced by half.
The specialist courts focus on bringing trials to a successful conclusion through providing a less traumatic experience for victims.
The magistrates and staff are trained especially to deal with domestic violence cases and the courts have separate entrances for victims and offenders and are policed by uniformed officers to increase victims’ feelings of safety.
IDVAs are now in the Somerset West police district, which takes in West Somerset, Taunton Deane, and Sedgemoor, as well as other parts of the force area.
They are totally independent, specialist professionals who work closely with victims to keep them and their families safe.
They offer professional advice on all aspects of victims’ lives, from safety planning and housing or benefits arrangements, to child protection issues and guidance on the criminal justice system.
The work of IDVAs nationally has been shown to decrease victimisation, increase notification of children at risk, and increase the number of victims willing to support a prosecution.
ACC Roberts said: “There is such a wide range of expert support out there to help victims with every aspect of their lives.
“We need victims to be aware of this so they have the confidence and courage to come forward so we can work together to end the suffering they and their families endure.”
Next May will also see the launch of Somerset’s first sexual assault referral centre, which will be located in Bristol.
The centre is designed to improve the willingness of victims to report incidents of sexual assault and rape, and the number of offenders caught and convicted, by combining skills and competence through the support of experts ranging from medical staff and police officers to counsellors.
Events and activities are taking place across Somerset during Domestic Abuse Awareness Week, organised by district domestic abuse forums.
In West Somerset, parish councils are being sent posters and leaflets to put on display to promote the week. For more information call 01984 635115.
In Sedgemoor, information displays will be mounted around the district, including Bridgwater Library and Bridgwater Arts Centre, by the Sedgemoor Survivors Group, The Daffodils, and the Safer Sedgemoor Partnership.
On Tuesday, November 27, supporters will release balloons acknowledging the victims of domestic abuse.
The public can show their support by joining them in Angel Place, Bridgwater, and at Bridgwater College. For more information call 01278 435216.
In Taunton Deane, an information stand will be at the ASDA supermarket all week and staffed between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm on the Tuesday, offering advice and literature. For more information call 01823 352247.
A 24-hour, free-of-charge national domestic violence helpline is available on 0808 2000 247. The national Men’s Advice Line is 0808 801 0327.