Mattress used to set car alight

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after arsonists set a car alight with a burning mattress.

The grey Ford Ka was in Staddon Terrace Lane in Pennycomequick at around 3.30am on January 10 when it was set alight.

Firefighters from Greenbank were called to the scene to find the car blazing. After extinguishing it the car was left severely damaged.

While firefighters initially described the cause of the fire as accidental, detectives later discovered a large mattress had been placed under the vehicle and set alight.

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Investigators are keen to hear from anyone who may have been in the area in the early hours of January 10 and saw any suspicious activity in Staddon Terrace Lane.

If you can assist police contact them on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference number EC/13/287.

BURGLARS broke into an empty home and stole two paintings and two silver-plated jugs.

Police are appealing to art dealers for information about the paintings, which were stolen from an unoccupied property in Newton Ferrers.

Burglars got into the building between Thursday, December 20 and Saturday, December 22 last year and took the two sepia watercolours.

The pictures, of landscapes, were in ornate gold frames.

Two very ornate silver-plated gravy jugs were also stolen.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 5551111 quoting crime reference JI/12/1195.

A MAN who has admitted growing cannabis could face jail when he is sentenced next month.

Stephen Kerslake, aged 40, pleaded guilty at Plymouth Crown Court yesterday to the charge of producing the Class B drug on March 20, 2012.

Kerslake, of Kneele Gardens, Manadon, was released on bail and the case was adjourned until February 1 by Judge Paul Darlow to allow for a probation report to be completed

Judge Darlow reminded Kerslake that "all options remained open" to him at the sentencing hearing.

FIREFIGHTERS were called to a nursing home after a fire started in the electric motor of a lift.

Crews from Plympton, Crownhill and Greenbank went to the home in Plymbridge Road, Colebrook in Plympton after reports of a smell of burning from a lift shaft yesterday morning.

After firefighters put out the fire an engineer was called to repair the lift.

COTEHELE are holding a volunteer day in an attempt to recruit new helpers at the National Trust estate near Saltash.

Volunteers will be expected to help look after the house, gardens and wider estate.

The team of volunteers at Cotehele is already strong, but they're always looking for more help with events.

Charmian Saunders, visitor services and volunteer manager said: "At Cotehele, we want volunteers involved in all aspects of our work. Our volunteers are very precious to us; we could not open our doors without them."

The volunteer day will be held on January 30, when there will be an opportunity to meet current staff and volunteers. Cotehele are also holding apple tree pruning workshops on January 15 and 17.