Jonathan Holmes
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Articles by Jonathan Holmes
Veteran conned by AI ex-soldier's 'pity scam'
Many of the AI soldiers' videos feature emotional captions claiming their business is failing due to a lack of sales Experts have warned of a growing wave of AI-generated "pity scams" using fake videos of injured ex-military personnel to sell products online. Army veteran Raymond Gilbert, 63, from Bradenstoke, Wiltshire, said he was scammed by a TikTok account claiming to belong to a fellow ex-serviceman. He spent £154.99 buying a "handmade" wooden flag that he said turned out to be made in China.
The younger record fans turning to older vinyl
Lucas (l) turned his love of records into a career and now works at Badlands Records in Cheltenham Younger people are helping the revival of traditional vinyl records, according to record dealers.
'Mum's death led me to choose double mastectomy'
Emily Hardaker underwent a preventative mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery in 2024 [Emily Hardaker] Breast cancer has been a constant in Emily Hardaker's life since she was 14, when the disease took her mother's life. In 2017, when Hardaker was 25, she tested positive for a BRCA2 gene mutation, which meant she was at a significantly higher risk of developing the condition herself.
'Mum's death led me to choose double mastectomy'
Breast cancer has been a constant in Emily Hardaker's life since she was 14, when the disease took her mother's life. In 2017, when Hardaker was 25, she tested positive for a BRCA2 gene mutation, which meant she was at a significantly higher risk of developing the condition herself. The 34-year-old from Brislington, in Bristol, decided to get a preventative double mastectomy two years ago to reduce the risk.
Man guilty of killing love rival with samurai sword
Michael Bretton said he had gone to talk to confront Craig Hurcombe (pictured) at his workplace but that his death was an accident A man has been found guilty of murdering his ex-lover's partner in what prosecutors described as a "cold-blooded execution". Michael Bretton killed lorry driver Craig Hurcombe with a samurai sword after going to his workplace in Somerset to "confront him" on 1 January, Bristol Crown Court heard. He then buried him in a shallow grave on the site.
The little-known Victorian sex cult where members were never allowed to leave
What happened to members of a little-known Victorian sex cult still has international interest today, an author has said. The group called Agapemonites was based at a chapel in Spaxton, near Bridgwater, which is now used as an Airbnb. People who joined the cult were told they could never leave, and many ended up taking their own lives. Their leader, Henry James Prince, claimed to be the Holy Spirit.
'Iconic' Kate Bush flash mob dance returns
The dances take place next to Clevedon's Marine Lake and on Bristol's College Green Dozens of Kate Bush fans are celebrating her most famous song, Wuthering Heights, with a recreation of the dance from the music video. Dubbed "the most Wuthering Heights day ever", the event at Clevedon's Marine Lake and Bristol's College Green raises money for the charity SARSAS (Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support). The event will take place today, ahead of the singer's birthday on 30 July.
Estate agent becomes Mexican lucha libre wrestler
A former estate agent has swapped selling houses for selling out arenas in Mexico, working his "dream job" as a lucha libre wrestler. Callum Aslantepe, 29, from Swindon, travels around the country wrestling as the character Prince Phoenix. In January, he wound down his estate agency business to move to Mexico full-time after a successful tour there in 2025. "It's a huge part of the culture here.
Man Charged In Relation To Theft Of Museum Artefacts
A man has been charged with handling stolen goods after hundreds of items were taken from a museum collection. Items including military badges and pins from the East India Company, and carved Buddha statues, were taken from Bristol Museum’s British Empire and Commonwealth Collection, in Cumberland Road, in the early hours of 25 September last year. Dean Hall, 41, of Redcliffe, Bristol, has been charged by police and is set to appear before Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Jason Donovan joins rehearsals for music festival
Jonathan Holmes & Alastair McKee - West of England Mon, June 29, 2026 at 4:11 PM UTC Pop star Jason Donovan has joined rehearsals with a 50-piece orchestra ahead of his appearance at a Wiltshire music festival taking place in July. "It's all a bit bizarre and I can't believe it. I rang his agent, and invited him to come and sing with us, and his agent said 'yeah, okay,'" said Jemma Brown, artistic director at the Fulltone Festival.
Jason Donovan joins rehearsals for music festival
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Jason Donovan joins rehearsals for music festival
Jason Donovan joins rehearsals for music festival Jonathan Holmes & Alastair McKee - West of England Sun 28 June 2026 at 4:27 pm UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Jason Donovan was invited to take part in the Full Tone Festival [BBC] Pop star Jason Donovan has joined rehearsals with a 50-piece orchestra ahead of his appearance at a Wiltshire music festival taking place in July. "It's all a bit bizarre, and I can't believe it.
Pride march returns to Weston after three years
Alastair McKee & Jonathan Holmes - West of England Sat 27 June 2026 at 4:36 pm UTC 2 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The event brought colour to the seaside town of Weston-super-Mare [BBC] A Pride event has returned to Weston-super-Mare after a three-year absence. Event coordinator Sarah Hammond told the BBC the event was organised to show people "that intolerance and bigotry will not be stood for".
Thieves steal diggers and trailers worth £35,000
Two diggers and two trailers worth more than £35,000 have been stolen during a burglary. The break-in happened at an address on the A46 near Lasborough, close to Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Gloucestershire Police said the burglars broke in and stole a yellow Kobelco mini one tonne digger, a blue Kobelco three tonne digger and two Ifor Williams trailers, sometime between 18:00 BST on 12 June and 08:00 BST on 13 June.
Hunt for friends of woman who faked her death
Jonathan Holmes - West of England; Ben Prater - BBC Radio Wiltshire Sun 21 June 2026 at 10:43 am UTC 3 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Shelagh/Diana died in a care home in Inverness in December 2016 [Sylvia MacKenzie] A woman who staged her death to claim a trust fund went on to live quietly under a false identity for more than 30 years.
The Wurzels' Combine Harvester celebrates 50 years
The music video for the song was filmed in Kentisbeare, north Devon The most unlikely Number One of 1976, Combine Harvester (Brand New Key) by the Wurzels, topped the charts on this day 50 years ago. It was a parody of Brand New Key by Melanie, and stayed at the top spot for two weeks, beating Wings, Dolly Parton and Rod Stewart. Band member Pete Budd said the sound engineers predicted that it was going to be Number One when we recorded it because it was an "everyman's song".
'I return stolen motorbikes to their owners'
A motorcycle repair shop director who spends his spare time retrieving stolen bikes said he has found eight of them in the last five weeks, worth around £50,000. Jamie Howell, from Clevedon Motorcycles in North Somerset, reports the stolen bikes to police and reunites them with their rightful owners for nothing in return. "I know the feeling of having something taken away from you and thinking 'that's it, you're never seeing it again'," he said.
Lack of toilet overnight 'humiliates' disabled man
A disabled man who is stuck without toilet access for 11 hours each night because of a lack of overnight carers, says it is "humiliating" and makes him feel "pathetic". Isaac Wide, 30, lives in supported housing run by the Milestones Trust in Bradley Stoke, with a care package paid for by South Gloucestershire Council.
Royal superfan dubbed 'Union Jack Man' dies aged 91
Terry Hutt said he was nicknamed "The Union Jack Man" by the late Queen Elizabeth II [Tracey Joy] An enthusiastic fan of the Royal Family who was reportedly nicknamed "The Union Jack Man" by the late Queen Elizabeth II has died, aged 91. Terry Hutt, from Weston-super-Mare, was known for camping outside hospitals ahead of royal births. "I always get the Queen smiling, I might stop out for several nights but when I get her smiling, it's always worthwhile," he said in 2016.
Major train operator to be renationalised in months
Jonathan Holmes - West of England Fri, May 8, 2026 at 4:19 PM UTC Great Western Railway runs services between London, the south-west of England and South Wales The rail operator Great Western Railway (GWR) is to be renationalised in a "significant" move for trains in the West of England, the government has confirmed. GWR, based in Swindon, runs services linking London to the south-west of England and South Wales. It will come back under public ownership on 13 December.
Major train operator to be renationalised in months
The rail operator Great Western Railway (GWR) is to be renationalised in a "significant" move for trains in the West of England, the government has confirmed. GWR, based in Swindon, runs services linking London to the south-west of England and South Wales. It will come back under public ownership on 13 December. A spokesperson for the operator said they welcomed the clarity provided by the announcement and would continue to work closely with the Department for Transport (DfT).
Superdry co-founder James Holder jailed for rape
Superdry co-founder James Holder has been jailed for eight years for raping a woman in a "despicable piece of sexual violence". The 54-year-old, of Cheltenham, attacked the woman in her flat after a night out in 2022. His victim told Bristol Crown Court he had taken her "choice, dignity and body".
Superdry co-founder James Holder jailed for rape
Superdry co-founder James Holder has been jailed for eight years for rape. The 54-year-old, of Cheltenham, attacked the woman in her flat after a night out in May 2022. Addressing him at Bristol Crown Court, Recorder David Chidgey told Holder - who appeared via video link from prison - that he had committed a "despicable piece of sexual violence". Holder did not react as he was sentenced. In a statement read to the court, his victim said he had taken her "choice, dignity and body".
Airport issues travel advice ahead of busy getaway
Jonathan Holmes - Bristol Thu, April 2, 2026 at 11:13 AM UTC Hundreds of thousands of people will pass through the airport over the next few weeks Bristol Airport has issued travel advice ahead of what it says will be a busy Easter getaway period. The transport hub said about 725,000 people would fly from the airport over the three-week period up to 19 April, with some 150,000 of those flying over the Easter weekend.
Faulty lock gates 'threaten future' of historic ship
Jonathan Holmes - West of England The trust which operates a reconstruction of a historic ship says faulty lock gates are affecting its commercial viability and could destroy the ship itself. The Matthew has been a fixture of Bristol's harbour since 1997, regularly running trips along the Avon Gorge.
Pedestrian suffers life-threatening injuries in crash
A pedestrian has been hospitalised with life-threatening injuries after she was involved in a collision with a car. Avon and Somerset Police said the incident happened on High Street in Portbury, North Somerset, at about 06:50 GMT. The road was closed between the A369 and the junction with Mill Lane while emergency services attended. The woman's next of kin have been informed, and police have asked for any witnesses to come forward. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram.
HGV driver arrested on suspicion of drink-driving
An HGV driver has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after his lorry was involved in a collision. Wiltshire Police said the heavy goods vehicle overturned, blocking both lanes on the A303 east of Mere, Wiltshire, at about 08:00 GMT on Saturday. There were no reported injuries but the driver was taken to hospital as a precaution. He is currently in police custody. Highways England said the road was closed for a number of hours before reopening at about 15:30 GMT.
Two arrested after PCSO assaulted in McDonald's
Jonathan Holmes; Matty Edwards - West of England Two arrests have been made after a police community support officer and a member of the public were assaulted at a McDonald's restaurant. The victims were pushed but didn't suffer any injuries during the disorder in Swindon town centre on the evening of 18 February, according to Wiltshire Police. The force said it had received a number of calls about "significant antisocial behaviour" by a "a group of youths".
Pensioner denies causing death by dangerous driving
Joe Skirkowski; Jonathan Holmes - West of England Fri, February 20, 2026 at 3:44 p.m. UTC 1 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Shelby Smith died in the crash in 2024 [Gloucestershire Police] A 79-year-old woman has denied causing the death of a motorcyclist by dangerous driving. Shelby Smith, who was 28 and from Swindon, was riding a motorbike when she was involved in a collision on the B4014 in Long Newnton, Gloucestershire, on 31 July 2024.
Olympian to stand trial over speeding ticket
Jonathan Holmes - West of England Former Olympic swimmer Baroness Sharron Davies is set to go on trial over a motorway speeding ticket. Baroness Davies was captured by a speed camera travelling at 65mph (104km/h) on the M4 when the speed limit had been temporarily reduced to 50mph (80km/h), court papers say. The alleged offence happened near junction 19 in South Gloucestershire just after 23:30 BST on 15 October 2025.
Mural celebrates one of Britain's first car makers
Jonathan Holmes Sun, February 15, 2026 at 7:17 a.m. UTC 2 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The mural celebrates Victorian car manufacturer Richard Stephens [Clevedon Cars and Coffee/Hans Heaton] A pioneer of the British car industry has been celebrated with a mural. Richard Stephens was one of the country's first car manufacturers, opening his workshop in The Triangle, Clevedon in the late 19th Century.
Century-old teddy bear goes up for auction
Jonathan Holmes - West of England A century-old teddy bear could sell for £500 at an upcoming auction. The bear, thought to date back to 1908, was found by the Cotswold Auction Company while sorting through an estate. The auctioneers believe the bear may have been made by the prestigious German teddy bear company Steiff, giving it an estimate of between £300 and £500 ahead of the auction on 24 February.
Thousands of homes affected by burst water main
Jonathan Holmes - Bristol February 6, 2026 at 1:28 PM The water main burst on Tenniscourt Road [BBC] Thousands of homes were left with either no water or disrupted pressure after a large burst water main. Bristol Water said the burst main on Tenniscourt Road affected supplies in Kingswood, Warmley, Cadbury Heath, Longwell Green and Oldland. A total of 9,291 properties were initially affected. Bristol Water said repairs were completed at about 20:15 GMT.
Police officer charged with making indecent images
Michael Elmer faces five charges of making and distributing indecent images [BBC] A serving police officer has been charged with making and distributing indecent images of children. Michael Elmer, 36, a police constable based in Bristol, was arrested by Avon and Somerset Police in May 2025, the force said.
German shepherd seized after biting three people
A large German shepherd dog which bit three members of the public has been seized. Officers were called to Clarence Road in Staple Hill, on the outskirts of Bristol, at 08:35 GMT on Tuesday, police said. Three people who were attacked were treated at the scene for minor injuries. The dog was contained inside a garden when police arrived and has been taken in by the force while investigations continue.
Arrests made during city centre protest
Jonathan Holmes - Bristol January 10, 2026 at 10:02 AM The protest was organised by the Bristol Patriots group [BBC] Three people have been arrested after a protest and counter-protest in Bristol city centre. Avon and Somerset Police said one man and a woman were arrested on suspicion of using threatening, abusive or insulting words to cause harassment, alarm or distress, and another man was arrested for refusing to remove a face covering.
How to recycle your Christmas tree from your doorstep
Thousands of Christmas trees will be collected in the coming weeks [St Margaret's Hospice] As we start the new year, many of us will be looking to put 2025 behind us and have a fresh start. Part of this can involve de-Christmassing the house and saying goodbye to our trees - especially if they are looking a bit worse for wear. While many councils offer collections, another option involves registering for a charity to pick up and repurpose your tree, dubbed treecycling.
Ex-police officer guilty of raping sleeping woman
Jonathan Holmes - West of England December 19, 2025 at 11:47 AM Craig Winston is due to be sentenced for his crimes on 6 February [Gloucestershire Police] A former student police officer has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women while they slept. Craig Winston, 36, who worked for Gloucestershire Police, was found guilty of multiple offences by a jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Wednesday.
Ex-police officer guilty of raping sleeping woman
Jonathan Holmes - West of England December 19, 2025 at 10:47 AM Craig Winston is due to be sentenced for his crimes on 6 February [Gloucestershire Police] A former student police officer has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women while they slept. Craig Winston, 36, who worked for Gloucestershire Police, was found guilty of multiple offences by a jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Wednesday.
Man trapped and headbutted woman he met on Tinder
A man who headbutted and punched a woman he met on Tinder has been jailed. Jake Clark, from Portway, Chippenham, met the woman on 6 March and used her bank card to withdraw hundreds of pounds, Wiltshire Police said.The 29-year-old became aggressive and assaulted the victim, injuring her eye socket. He then smashed her phone and prevented her from leaving his home, the force said.Clark pleaded guilty to causing actual body harm and false imprisonment on 19 August.
Man trapped and headbutted woman he met on Tinder
Jonathan Holmes - West of England December 8, 2025 at 4:59 AM Jake Clark was sentenced to 38 months in jail at Swindon Crown Court [Wiltshire Police] A man who headbutted and punched a woman he met on Tinder has been jailed. Jake Clark, from Portway, Chippenham, met the woman on 6 March and used her bank card to withdraw hundreds of pounds, Wiltshire Police said. The 29-year-old became aggressive and assaulted the victim, injuring her eye socket.
Former MP marks his 80th with charity swim challenge
Andy Bennett & Jonathan Holmes - West of England December 7, 2025 at 3:17 PM Adrian Bailey has supported Cheltenham Town FC since childhood [Adrian Bailey] A former MP and football fan is to swim 80 laps of a swimming pool to raise money and mark his 80th birthday. Adrian Bailey is taking on the challenge for Cheltenham Town Football Club Community Trust. Mr Bailey first watched the Robins play in 1958 as a child, and has since spent more than six decades supporting the team.
PCC says there is lack of understanding of her job
Paul Barltrop - West of England political editor; Jonathan Holmes - Bristol December 7, 2025 at 5:15 AM Clare Moody's job will cease to exist in 2028 [BBC] A Labour Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) says she does not agree with the government's decision to scrap her job from 2028. In November, the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said scrapping the roles across England and Wales would save £100m over this parliament's term. She added most voters did not know who their PCC was.
Track opens for cyclists and skateboarders
Jonathan Holmes - West of England December 7, 2025 at 4:29 AM Wiltshire Council said the floodlit track was suitable for riders of all ages and abilities [Wiltshire Council] A track has opened for cyclists, skateboarders and scooter riders to enjoy. A pump track is a continuous loop of mounds and banked turns, with the term pumping describing a way for cyclists to gain speed using the body's up-and-down motion, without pedalling.
In pictures: A night to remember at town carnival
Thousands of people headed out to see the streets of a seaside town light up for an annual carnival. A procession of illuminated carts and costumed performers filled the streets of Weston-super-Mare for the return of the carnival on Friday night. The event, which dates back to 1871, is one of the well-known Somerset Guy Fawkes carnivals. The Bridgwater and Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea carnivals have already taken place.
Town's oldest shop owner celebrates 100th birthday
The owner of a town's oldest shop is celebrating his 100th birthday. John Brown, owner of John Brown Hardware, built and then opened his shop in Nailsea, North Somerset, in September 1957 with his father. Mr Brown regularly worked in the shop until the age of 98, and still oversees the business. He said he still felt like a "youngster at heart" and was "proud and honoured" to reach the milestone of 100 years.
Hammer attack victim released from hospital
A man who was assaulted with a hammer in Melksham High Street has been released from hospital. Wiltshire Police said the man become involved in an altercation with two masked men riding bicycles shortly before midnight on Friday 17 October. The man was taken to hospital, and has since been released to recover at home. Det Ch Insp Penny Andrews said: "I would like to assure you that we believe this was an isolated incident and there was no risk to the wider public.
Pitch perfect: the man behind Ashton Gate's grass
When thousands of sports fans pack the terraces at Ashton Gate stadium, all eyes are on the work done by Jack Langley and his team. Mr Langley is deputy head groundsperson at the stadium, the home of Bristol City Football Club and Bristol Bears Rugby. Advertisement "If I had my way, no one would play on the grass," he joked. This summer's unusually high temperatures made his job even harder, with temperatures around three to five degrees warmer inside the stadium than outside.
Star Wars and The Muppets' designer shares 'miracles' from his studio
Steve Allen has worked on Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth, and other creations like Max (R) [BBC] With some 1,300 toy and puppet projects under his belt, Steve Allen can proudly say he has spent "46 years being a five-year-old". The walls of his studio in Stroud, Gloucestershire, are a miniature shrine to some of the most popular entertainment series and films in recent decades.
Karate black belts awarded to 79-year-old athletes
Two 79-year-old women have been awarded their black belts in the martial art of karate after taking up the sport aged 74. Beryl Bellamy, from South Petherton in Somerset, and Susie McPherson, from Merriott in Somerset, began training at Nishikan Martial Arts in autumn 2020 after seeing an advert on social media. "My friends just think we're mad, but I think it's a frame of mind," Ms Bellamy said.
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