Molly Kirk

Daniel Fieldhouse, 36, of Ilminster, was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting a woman, stealing her car, driving while disqualified and uninsured, and deliberately ramming an Avon and Somerset Police vehicle. The court cited his intoxication, dangerous driving, previous offending and the deliberate collision as aggravating factors. He was also banned from driving for three years and eight months, while the defence said he had addressed his drinking, secured employment and begun turning his life around.

An articulated lorry carrying hay caught fire on the A303 near Yarcombe, spreading to nearby woodland and prompting crews from 13 fire stations across Devon and Somerset to attend. Firefighters worked through the night to control the blaze, which destroyed the HGV. National Highways closed the A303 in both directions between Ilminster and Upottery, warning that the closure could continue for some time and advising drivers to allow extra travel time. Residents downwind were advised to keep doors and windows closed because of the intense heat and heavy smoke.

A woman was taken to Yeovil District Hospital after a collision involving a Dacia Duster and a stationary vehicle on Mudford Road in Yeovil. Fire crews used hydraulic cutting equipment and battery saws to release her from the vehicle, which had rolled onto its side. Her injuries were not believed to be serious. Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.

Andrew McLeod, 34, of Chard, pleaded guilty to attempting to show sexual material to a child under 13, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and possessing extreme pornography depicting sex with animals. Taunton Crown Court sentenced him to 22 months in prison, suspended for two years, citing his guilty pleas, remorse, lack of previous convictions and lack of reoffending, while emphasizing the seriousness of his grooming and sexual communications with children. He must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 40 rehabilitation activity days, comply with notification requirements for 10 years and a sexual harm prevention order for five years, and pay costs and a surcharge. The judge warned that any breach would result in imprisonment.

Chard has been ranked Somerset’s top town for per-capita purchases of sex toys and other sexual-wellness products in Lovehoney’s 2026 UK Sex Map, placing 39th nationally. Wellington, Radstock, Shepton Mallet and Yeovil followed among Somerset locations, while Burnham-on-Sea ranked lowest in the county at 633rd nationally. Lovehoney expert Annabelle Knight said the results show that interest in sexual wellness extends beyond major cities and that online privacy, convenience and choice may appeal particularly to residents of smaller communities.

Hundreds of families and visitors attended Chard’s annual Party in the Park at Jocelyn Park, featuring live music, performances, food, fundraising stalls and cake stands. Mayor Tricia O’Brien officially opened the event, while seven-year-old Archie Newman was named Chard’s Mini Town Crier. Organizers thanked the Chard Carnival Committee, Chard Town Team, Chard Town Council and the wider community for making the celebration a success.

An air ambulance and multiple South Western Ambulance Service teams responded to an incident in Chard on July 18, 2026. Emergency crews, including land ambulances, operations officers and a critical care car, attended and transported one patient by land ambulance to Musgrove Park Hospital.

A three-vehicle crash near Chard on the A303 left two people hospitalized, including one airlifted with potentially life-changing injuries. A man in his sixties was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and causing serious injury through careless driving. The road was closed between Newtown Road and Royston Road while police investigated, causing significant delays and congestion.