Broadcast timeline
ITV — ITV News West Country
Friday 31 July 2026 · 18:00 BST · 30m · 6 stories · 15 annotated moments · 22 of 30 min on news stories (74%)
Broadcast overview
An AI-generated overview based on this broadcast's transcript.
A man from Dorset, Michael Bretton, was found guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend's new partner, Craig Hurcombe, in what the court described as a cold-blooded execution driven by jealousy. Bretton stalked the couple, used tracking devices, and killed Hurcombe with a samurai sword before burying his body in a shallow grave in Somerset. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 29 and a half years.
An exclusive ITV News survey found that nearly all pharmacists in the region report abuse from patients and customers, including verbal abuse, racism, and physical attacks, with many considering leaving the profession. A teaching assistant at Crispin School in Street, Somerset, will not return after being filmed at an anti-immigration demonstration. The west of England mayor could gain more funding and powers under new devolution plans, with details expected in the autumn budget. A historic Bristol bathroom showroom, George Jones and Brothers, closed after 112 years, citing competition from the internet and parking issues.
At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Tatum Keen from South Gloucestershire won bronze in judo, and Lele Nairns from Weston-Super-Mare also secured bronze. Dorset boxer Ruby White is in the semi-finals. A free paddle sport scheme in Taunton aimed at getting more women involved has been a success, and Bristol City players and staff visited a youth zone in Hartcliffe to promote an alternative learning programme using football.
- 1:34
- 2:26
Claim Michael Bretton guilty of samurai sword murder of ex-lover's new partner
Bretton was convicted of murdering Craig Hurcombe.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 31 July 2026, 2:26-2:31
- 5:27
Claim Michael Bretton guilty of samurai sword murder of ex-lover's new partner
Bretton used GPS trackers to follow the victim and his ex-girlfriend.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 31 July 2026, 5:27-5:34
- 8:22
Claim Michael Bretton guilty of samurai sword murder of ex-lover's new partner
The judge described the murder as a premeditated assassination.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 31 July 2026, 8:22-8:30
- 8:53
- 11:18
Claim Survey reveals epidemic of abuse against pharmacy staff in West Country
Survey found nearly all pharmacists have been abused, with a third experiencing abuse most days and four in five facing racism or threats of violence.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 31 July 2026, 11:18-11:22
- 11:22
Claim Survey reveals epidemic of abuse against pharmacy staff in West Country
Survey found nearly all pharmacists have been abused, with a third experiencing abuse most days and four in five facing racism or threats of violence.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 31 July 2026, 11:22-11:29
- 11:29
Claim Survey reveals epidemic of abuse against pharmacy staff in West Country
Survey found nearly all pharmacists have been abused, with a third experiencing abuse most days and four in five facing racism or threats of violence.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 31 July 2026, 11:29-11:40
- 14:38
- 19:15 Story begins Local athletes win judo medals at Commonwealth Games
- 19:22
Claim Local athletes win judo medals at Commonwealth Games
Tatum Keen won a bronze medal in the women's under 52kg judo category.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 31 July 2026, 19:22-19:36
- 19:44
Claim Local athletes win judo medals at Commonwealth Games
Lele Nairns lost her judo semi-final and will compete in a bronze medal contest.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 31 July 2026, 19:44-19:52
- 20:00
Claim Local athletes win judo medals at Commonwealth Games
Ruby White is in the semi-finals of the women's under 51kg boxing category and has been unbeaten since starting boxing at age eight.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 31 July 2026, 20:00-20:16
- 21:04
- 21:43
Claim Free paddle scheme in Taunton aims to boost women's participation
Free paddle sessions were held throughout July and were very popular, requiring increased court time.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 31 July 2026, 21:43-21:51
- 21:59
Claim Free paddle scheme in Taunton aims to boost women's participation
Paddle is one of the fastest growing sports in the country.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 31 July 2026, 21:59-22:07
- 22:03
Claim Free paddle scheme in Taunton aims to boost women's participation
30% of paddle players are women.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 31 July 2026, 22:03-22:07
- 23:57
Claim Bristol City players and new manager hold football session in Hartcliffe
Bristol City's new season starts with a home game next Thursday.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 31 July 2026, 23:57-24:02
- 24:00
- 24:09
Claim Bristol City players and new manager hold football session in Hartcliffe
The Robins Foundation is working with the new 224 Youth Zone.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 31 July 2026, 24:09-24:15
- 24:47
Claim Bristol City players and new manager hold football session in Hartcliffe
The Alternative Learning Provision will start next month.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 31 July 2026, 24:47-24:54
- 26:28 ~4 min without annotations
Source: ITV1, "ITV News West Country", Friday 31 July 2026. Transcript excerpts and stills are shown only to support the analysis annotated alongside them. Search-result excerpts are distinct from the editorial annotations — see our copyright basis. The full broadcast is not reproduced.