News
Jailed: Sick father and son paedophiles brutally raped young child in west Wales
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.
News
Crash on Freeman’s Way causes school-run chaos across Haverfordwest
Major delays leave pupils stranded, buses running late and traffic backed up across the town after morning collision
ONE person was taken to hospital after a two-vehicle crash caused widespread disruption in Haverfordwest during the morning school run.
Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to the collision on the A4076 Freeman’s Way at around 7:10am on Thursday (June 18).
The road was closed while emergency services dealt with the incident, leading to long tailbacks on routes into town.
Many children were late for school, with some school buses arriving after 10:00am. Some pupils being dropped off at Haverfordwest Bus Station for the St Davids school bus are also understood to have missed their connection.
Police said one person was taken to hospital to be checked over following the collision.
The road reopened shortly before 10:30am.
News
Motorcyclist, 22, dies in A4075 crash
A 22-year-old woman remains in hospital after two-vehicle collision
A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a serious two-vehicle crash on the A4075 between Canaston Bridge and Yerbeston.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the collision happened at around 6:20pm on Wednesday (June 17) and involved a grey Kia Sorento and a white Yamaha motorcycle.
The rider of the motorcycle, a 22-year-old man, died at the scene.
A 22-year-old woman who was travelling as a pillion passenger was taken to hospital, where she remains.
Police said the rider’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
The driver of the Kia Sorento, a 60-year-old man, was not injured.
Road remains closed
The A4075 remained closed while collision investigators examined the scene, and motorists were advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes.
Investigating officers are appealing for witnesses and would like to speak to anyone who was travelling along the A4075 at the relevant time.
They are also asking motorists with dashcam footage from the area to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.
Please quote reference 362 of June 17.
News
More than 240 organisations back call for fairer Wales
Senedd statement urges action on rising costs, climate change, nature loss and insecure livelihoods
MORE than 240 organisations from across Wales have backed a Senedd call for urgent action to build a fairer, greener and more resilient nation.
The Statement of Opinion, tabled by Niamh Salkeld MS, supports the Cymru Together campaign and calls on the Welsh Government to respond to the linked crises of rising living costs, insecure livelihoods, climate change and nature loss.
Ahead of the 2026 Senedd election, more than 240 organisations signed an open letter under the Cymru Together banner, urging political parties to work together on Wales’ most pressing challenges.
The statement calls on ministers to invest in warmer homes and cheaper renewable energy, ensure renewable energy creates community wealth and supports workers, and restore nature by supporting farmers to produce food sustainably while making polluters pay.
It also says climate action in Wales can support communities around the world already facing the worst effects of climate change, while delivering practical improvements to everyday life at home.
Niamh Salkeld MS said: “For communities like mine in Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni, this is about fairness.
“We know that if we get this right, we can tackle the cost-of-living crisis, strengthen our communities and create a more secure future.
“We also know the cost of doing nothing is higher energy bills, more extreme weather and fewer opportunities for future generations.”
Bethan Sayed, Head of Politics at Climate Cymru, said Wales was at a “pivotal moment”.
She said: “Climate action is not a burden on Wales: it is an opportunity to build warmer homes, create good jobs, restore our natural environment, and deliver a fairer future for everyone who calls Wales home.”
Stan Townsend, Head of Policy at Climate Cymru, said the proposals were “practical priorities” that could make a real difference.
He said: “Investing in home efficiency cuts energy bills for households, community ownership of renewable energy gives us the chance to keep more wealth in our communities, and supporting farmers to farm sustainably protects the land and the livelihoods that depend on it.”
Cerith Griffiths, a former firefighter and FBU trade union official, said the campaign connected climate action with lower energy bills, good jobs and healthier communities.
Global Climate Justice Cymru said the statement recognised that “what Wales does matters beyond our borders”, while Race Council Cymru said the campaign showed how climate action could help reduce living costs and create new opportunities.
Cymru Together describes itself as a growing movement of more than 240 organisations calling for a fairer and healthier Wales.
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