Just had a chat with Mrs S - she is insisting we go the accoustic route. A shame really, as I think he would have been more inclined to persevere with an electric guitar. However, she is the one who will have to listen to it!! Looking at the net, I'm inclined to go for a Yamaha CS40 3/4
she's missed the point entirely. With an electric she won't have to listen to it.
As long as you only buy a headphone amp, or one of those little mini-marshalls:
http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/marshall-ms-2/309