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St Ishmaels farmer guilty of strangulation and assault after family dispute

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A PEMBROKESHIRE farmer has been found guilty of intentional strangulation, assault and criminal damage following a violent incident at his home earlier this year.

Philip Stoddart, aged 59, of Monk Hill Farm, St Ishmaels, was convicted at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Sept 1). The bench – Mr J Ross, Dr R Williams and Mr R John – found him guilty of:

  • Assaulting Fraizer Stoddart by beating him on April 4, 2025.
  • Intentionally strangling Fraizer Stoddart on the same date, contrary to the Serious Crime Act 2015.
  • Causing criminal damage to a hooded top and a Playstation controller belonging to the victim.

Stoddart had denied the allegations when he first appeared in court on April 7. Following trial hearings through the summer, magistrates returned guilty verdicts at the conclusion of the case this week.

The court heard that the offences took place during a family dispute at Monkhill Farm. Stoddart, who farms in the St Ishmaels area, was arrested after police were called to the property.

He was initially remanded on conditional bail in April, before being allowed unconditional bail when the trial began in July. The prosecution was led by Ann Griffiths, while Stoddart was represented by defence solicitor David Weale.

Stoddart has been released on unconditional bail until sentencing, which is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23 at 11:00am at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. A pre-sentence report has been ordered.

The intentional strangulation offence, introduced into law in 2022 to tackle domestic abuse, carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment if committed in the Crown Court.

 

Education

Milford Haven School issues heatwave update as temperatures soar

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MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL has thanked pupils and staff for the way they have supported one another during the current heatwave.

The school said cooperation and care across the school community had been greatly appreciated.

With tomorrow (Jun 25) forecast to be the hottest day of the current spell, pupils are being asked to come prepared by bringing plenty of water, wearing sunscreen, and staying as protected from the sun as possible.

Pupils will also be permitted to wear their PE kit to help keep cool.

The school said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all necessary steps to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff.

 

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Business

Main Street Music to close retail shop as owner focuses on handmade guitars

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A POPULAR Pembrokeshire music shop is changing the way it operates, with Main Street Music confirming it will no longer trade as a retail shop from September 1.

The business said there will be an immediate 15% sale on all stock, but stressed that Main Street Music is not disappearing completely.

The owner said the decision had been made “with a heavy heart”, adding that the shop’s closure as a retail outlet would be a loss for Pembrokeshire as the county’s last professional guitar dealership.

He said his long-term passion had always been making musical instruments, something he had done since his teenage years, later receiving scholarships and a fellowship for his studies.

After college, he was given the opportunity to buy the business at the age of 24.

He said: “I have had an amazing time running this shop, giving it everything I’ve got, met some wonderful people and sold some incredible guitars.”

Although the business itself remains successful, he said tighter retail margins, dealership pressures and rising costs had made it difficult to grow in a way that would allow him to employ others and spend more time in the workshop.

The shop will eventually reopen as an appointment-only workshop and showroom for handmade guitars and repairs.

Current repair work will continue on a case-by-case basis by appointment only.

Main Street Music thanked customers for their support over recent years, saying the owner was proud of where the shop had been taken.

Caption:

Main Street Music will close as a retail shop from September 1, but will continue as an appointment-only workshop and showroom for handmade guitars and repairs.

 

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News

Crackwell Street set to reopen after five-month closure

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ROADWORKS linked to structural repairs at Goscar House in Tenby are nearing completion, with Crackwell Street expected to reopen to through traffic today (Wednesday, June 24).

Scaffolding has now been removed from the property, with contractors carrying out a general clearance of the area.

The road has been closed for around five months while structural repair work has been taking place.

Local residents, businesses and visitors are expected to welcome the reopening, with Crackwell Street forming an important route through the town.

Pembrokeshire County Council has indicated that, all being well, the road will reopen later today.

Gareth Davies, of Gareth Davies Photography Tenby, said it was “good to see the removal of scaffolding today and general clearance on the property”.

He added that locals and visitors would be “so pleased” to see the road open once again.

Photo caption:

Clearance work: Contractors at Crackwell Street, Tenby, as scaffolding is removed from Goscar House (Pic: Gareth Davies).

 

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