Monday 6th October

Monday, 6 October 2025 06:00

A father who murdered his two-week-old baby son on Yeovil District Hospital’s neonatal ward has been jailed for life. A Yeovil man has been charged with attempted murder after a firearm incident. Plans are underway to turn an area of unused land in Chard into a community peace garden... and more.

A father who murdered his two-week-old baby son on Yeovil District Hospital’s neonatal ward has been jailed for life. Daniel Gunter, 27, of no fixed address, denied harming Brendon Staddon but a jury found him guilty in July and he was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years on Friday. The jury heard Brendon suffered "catastrophic injuries" including a fractured skull, a broken neck, a broken jaw and broken legs in the hospital’s special care baby unit.

Meanwhile, a Yeovil man is appearing in court today after being charged with offences connected to a firearm incident in the town. James McGuinness, aged 30, is charged with attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and possession of a firearm while prohibited. Police were called to Lufton Trading Estate shortly after midday on Wednesday after a firearm was discharged. No injuries were sustained. A woman in her 20s, who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on bail whilst enquiries continue.

The public are being invited to have their say and help shape the future of children and family services in the county. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation to find out what’s working well, and what changes and improvements are needed. The consultation follows national proposals to transform children’s social care. Whilst the survey is online, you can also complete it at any library or council office in the county.

Plans are underway to turn an area of unused land next to the cemetery in Chard into a community peace garden. The ground has been cleared and the design has been drawn up. However, Chard Rotary Club, who are behind the project, say money needs to be raised to make it happen.

And the crowds were out in Ilminster on Saturday night for this year’s Carnival procession in the town. Clubs from Martock, Merriott, Chard and more also took part in the event. It’s estimated that around 10,000 people attend every year.

More from News

Friday 13th March

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more
Wednesday 4th March

A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more