UPDATE:
Just called the garage where I bought the car from and they've told me that the mechaninc said the water pump broke because there was no water in there, in other words it's my own fault for not keeping it topped up.... BULLSH*T I kept it topped up at all times and regularly checked it (once a week, and before any journey further than 50km). There was never a leak under the car either so where did all the water go?
Here is what my answer will be to the garage:
this was the instant (electronically time and date stamped) the engine made "that noise". I pulled over and was greeted by a stream of LOTS of water gushing out of the water pump.
is this or is this not proof that there was plenty of water in there?