A FORMER MI6 spy accused of stealing secret files on intelligence gathering and then offering to sell them remains in custody while his lawyers seek security clearance to speak to him.

Daniel Houghton, 25, attempted to sell confidential electronic files, including memory sticks and a laptop hard drive detailing MI5's intelligence-gathering techniques, it is alleged.

But lawyers for Houghton whose family live in Holne, near Ashburton were unable to apply for bail as they would be in breach of the Official Secrets Act and could be charged for breaking the law themselves.

Piers Arnold, prosecuting, outlined the dilemma during a brief hearing at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday.

District Judge Timothy Workman adjourned the case until March 25 when a bail application is expected to take place.

A PAIR of shoplifters got away with three pairs of designer jeans from a shop in Totnes.

They struck on Tuesday at 4pm when a man distracted staff while a woman accomplice stole the jeans worth £64.99 each before walking out of FAB Men in Totnes High Street.

The couple were both white. The man was five foot eight inches tall, balding with dark shaven hair wearing a turquoise jumper and grey trousers.

The woman was five foot six inches tall with brown hair which was cut shorter on one side. It was dark brown but dyed red or pink on the longer side. She was wearing a grey baggy tracksuit with number 32 on it.

TWO acres of gorse land were destroyed in a fire which swept across part of Dartmoor.

Fire crews from Bovey Tracey, Chagford and Okehampton spent more than two hours tackling the incident with beaters at Mardon Down, near Moretonhampstead.

The alarm was raised at 3.40pm.

A spokesman said two hosereels were also used to extinguish the flames.

He added there numerous seats to the fire.

A MAN accused of raping an elderly woman from South Devon has told Exeter Crown Court that there could be a plot to frame him for the alleged crime.

George Northam, 29, of New Bridge Street, yesterday claimed the alleged victim had 'dreamt up' the incident and it was then 'convenient' for the witness to report him.

The jury was also told Northam is now representing himself, having been previously represented by defence counsel Nicolas Gerasimidis.

The trial continues.

A FIRE crew from Ashburton extinguished a blazing tractor in Bickington.

Three sets of breathing gear were worn by firefighters who used two hosereels to extinguish the blaze at Combe Farm.

The alarm was raised just after 6.30pm on Wednesday.

A spokesman said the tractor was 'severely damaged'.

FIREFIGHTERS answered a 999 call to an address in Paignton where a microwave caught alight.

They arrived at the property in Colin Road to find the blazing appliance had burnt itself out.

The alarm was raised at 9.22pm on Wednesday.

Two fire crews attended the incident.