A couple’s planned new life in rural West Wales took a harrowing turn after their home and living quarters became the target of a violent attack, highlighting a prolonged ordeal of stalking and intimidation.

Richard and Amanda Burton had purchased an old double-decker bus to live and work in while renovating Fox Hill Farm, a rundown farmhouse nestled in a Pembrokeshire valley. The area was meant to be their refuge and fresh start after leaving Suffolk, where they had previously run a successful antiques and bathroom business. However, their move, which began in 2017 as a hopeful escape from what Amanda described as an unhealthy environment impacting their health and cherished pets, soon descended into a nightmare.

In the early hours of one recent morning, a firebomb was thrown at their red double-decker bus, causing significant damage. Investigators found scorch marks on the bus’s exterior, with parts of the paint blistered and panels blackened. Authorities noted that had the bus ignited fully, there was a serious risk flames could have spread to their adjacent farmhouse before occupants awoke, endangering lives and property.

Police reviewing CCTV footage identified a suspicious vehicle arriving at the property shortly before the attack, followed by a man wearing a dark hood approaching the fence. Video shows the individual igniting a petrol-soaked rag before throwing it at the bus, which exploded in a flash of light. The assailant remained nearby to witness the fire, according to officers present at the scene.

This incident was not an isolated act of violence but the climax of months of harassment endured by the Burtons. They have reported repeated intimidation tactics, including threatening phone calls, stalking by a person dressed in black and wearing a balaclava, attacks by aggressive dogs, and death threats. Local police officers familiar with the case expressed disbelief at the severity and proximity of the attack.

The couple’s backstory provides context to the situation. Richard and Amanda previously operated a thriving business in Suffolk, crafting and restoring antique furniture and roll-top baths. Despite outward appearances of stability and success, they faced financial pressures and concerns about environmental toxins in their former locale, which Amanda linked to premature deaths of their pets. Conversations between them about a peaceful rural life prompted their relocation.

Following thorough searches online and personal visits, Richard discovered Fox Hill Farm in West Wales, despite its dilapidated state. The couple approached the renovation with optimism, hoping the property’s natural features—absence of pylons, south-facing aspect, and presence of a river—would offer a healthier, quieter lifestyle.

Their experience underscores the vulnerabilities that can accompany isolated rural living, especially when confronted by persistent harassment. Authorities continue to investigate the case. The Burtons remain physically and emotionally affected by the sustained abuse but have expressed determination to recover and restore safety to their home.