A CHARITY helping people through the criminal justice system has been helped update its tech thanks to a grant from Newton Abbot Town Council.

The out-of-date computer equipment being used by the Newton Abbot team of Community Advice and Support Services (CASS+) was hampering the number of people it was able to help.

Now, the town council’s grant is making a big difference.

It means CASS+ will be able to expand its services by helping to buy fast and reliable laptops and a printer.

The charity provides free, confidential and practical support for anyone in crisis as they face the legal system in Devon and Cornwall.

As a result, they will be able to help more people from their hub inside Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court.

A CASS+ co-ordinator in Newton Abbot, said: ‘We’re so thankful that the council has come to the rescue.

‘The better our equipment, the quicker we can help people and the more people we can support.

‘This will make a huge difference.’

At a recent meeting, councillors stressed the importance of the grant and acknowledged the work CASS+ does for the local community, describing the team as ‘unsung heroes.’

‘Members definitely recognised the invaluable contribution CASS+ makes to the local community and are extremely grateful’ said Sam Scott, deputy town clerk at Newton Abbot Town Council.

‘It’s the town council’s pleasure to support such a fantastic organisation’ she added.

CASS+, which has hubs inside the courts in Exeter, Plymouth, Bodmin, and Truro, as well as Newton Abbot, supports around 150 people each month through the criminal justice system and beyond.