Friday 25th July

Friday, 25 July 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A father has been found guilty of murdering his two-week-old son at Yeovil Hospital. From Monday, no trains will be stopping at Crewkerne until further notice. Experts say the dry weather has created ideal conditions for wasps to multiply in significant numbers across Somerset. A rare railway carriage from the 1880s, believed to have been built in Somerset, is being given a new lease of life...and more.

A father has been found guilty of murdering his two-week-old son at Yeovil Hospital. Bristol Crown Court was told that Daniel Gunter, aged 27, of no fixed address, inflicted catastrophic injuries to the head, neck, legs and jaw of Brendon Staddon. His former partner, Sophie Staddon, aged 23, also of no fixed address, was cleared of causing or allowing the death of a child.

From Monday, no trains will be stopping at Crewkerne until further notice. A replacement bus service connecting Yeovil Junction and Axminster stations will serve the station. It's due to the dry weather causing clay embankments to shrink, meaning trains cannot travel safely at their normal speeds.

A local driver, found to be double the drink-drive limit when stopped by police, has been banned from driving for 20 months. Tracy Sandford of Fairhouse Road in Barwick near Yeovil pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol at Yeovil Magistrates Court. Sandford was also fined £138 with £85 costs.

Experts say the dry weather and the early heatwave have created ideal conditions for wasps to multiply in big numbers in Somerset. People from all around the County are reporting seeing a big increase in wasp numbers for the time of year.

A rare railway carriage from the 1880s, believed to have been built in Somerset, is being given a new lease of life. The carriage has been acquired by the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust, which will undertake a complete restoration before returning it to service on the East Somerset Railway.

Artwork by students at schools in Chard has gone on display at two GP surgeries in the town. The paintings created by students at Manor Court Primary, Redstart Primary, Avishayes Primary and Chard Prep schools, in collaboration with Chard Together, are now displayed in the reception areas of both St. Mary's and Summerfield surgeries.

Cinema at the Warehouse, Ilminster's film club, has announced a new season of showings. The first of twelve screenings planned for the new season will be a showing of The Salt Path on the big screen at the Warehouse Theatre in Ilminster on Saturday, 13th September.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more