News

Jailed: Sick father and son paedophiles brutally raped young child in west Wales

Published

3 years ago

June 19, 2022

TWO sick child rapists, a father and son, carried out one of their “brutal rape attacks” on a child in west Wales, have been sentenced to a total of 33 years imprisonment.

Arthur William Bowditch, 73, and his son Arthur Stephen Bowditch, 54, are both from Wiltshire, but carried out their attacks on children as young as three in the 1980s and 1990s.

One of the infants was left so badly injured by William Bowditch that she required surgery to repair damaged tissue following the assault.

The court heard that he also sexually assaulted a girl with a rough wooden object.

Stephen Bowditch raped another young child at an undisclosed location near the west coast of Wales. The court heard that the little child cried out for help during the assault however her step-father failed to hear her because of the sound of grass cutting machinery.

Statements from the victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were read out in court.

‘I have been a victim but now I’m a survivor,’ said one, ‘and facing my abuser is my way of taking back control of my life’.

Another said that the ‘degrading’ things that had been carried out to her as a child had taken away her childhood. However she has now forgiven her abuser.

‘This helps me forget, let go of my hate and not let the defendant take any more of my life’.

William Bowditch and Stephen Bowditch committed multiple counts of rape and indecent assault on the girls during the 1980s and 1990s however it isn’t believed that they committed them together. They were previously convicted at trial of the offences and appeared before Swansea Crown Court this week for sentence.

An earlier sentencing hearing had to be adjourned after Bowditch Snr failed to turn up even though his wife had dropped him off at Swindon railway station that morning.

Detectives familiar with the case were sent to Swansea station to check CCTV, and the court heard no trace of the defendant could be found nor there was no evidence he had been on the train he was supposed to have caught.

The delayed sentencing hearing was told Bowditch had in fact got on the wrong train at Swindon and instead of travelling to Swansea had arrived in Bristol where he had “engaged with people on the street” before falling into the harbour.

He then returned home where he was arrested early the following morning by Wilshire Police and taken into custody.

The son has a previous conviction from 1989 for indecent assault on a girl under 14, the court heard

Judge Huw Rees said the defendants’ victims had been “denied a childhood” by their actions, and said the statements from the women had been “harrowing” to listen to. He said it was clear that the abuse inflicted by the defendants had profoundly affected the women while William Bowditch had acted out of “degenerate and unhealthy sexual lust”.

Arthur William Bowditch, of Selby Crescent, Swindon, Wiltshire, was given a 21-year extended sentence comprising 20 years in custody followed by a one-year extended licence.

Arthur Stephen Bowditch, of Morse Close, Chippenham, Wiltshire, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Both will be registered sex offenders for the rest of their lives.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

17 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.