Author: Rhys Gregory

An accountant who moved millions of pounds from her employer to her accounts over a six-year period has been jailed. Jemma Lewis from St Nicholas in the Vale of Glamorgan pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud by abuse of position. Lewis, 40, moved a total of £3.65 million, disguised as payments to companies, from her employer’s accounts to her own. Once legitimate payments and loans were removed, it was calculated that Lewis had benefited by more than £2.491 million. Lewis was sentenced at Newport Crown Court on Thursday, July 24 to five years in prison. Officer in the case…

Searches remain ongoing for a 22-year-old woman, who is currently missing. Gwenno Ephraim was last seen in the upper Bangor area on Monday night (28 July) and is believed to have walked towards Menai Bridge. CCTV footage reviewed by officers appears to show Gwenno walking alone between the hours of 10.20pm and 11.10pm on Monday night. Personal items, believed to belong to Gwenno, were subsequently found on the Menai Suspension Bridge on Tuesday morning. Search efforts in and around the waters of the Menai Strait have continued today (Thursday, 31 July), following several days of activity. Despite extensive enquiries, attempts…

Plans for a stunning new makeover for the city centre’s outdoor amphitheatre are rapidly taking shape this summer. Improvements to the steps, new handrails and a mains power supply have all been fitted at the much-loved venue sitting opposite the LC in Swansea. Now the council is adding a new eye-catching stage canopy that will see the venue transformed for performers and audiences alike. Work on the upgrade is due to start later this year after the summer season is over – which this year features the Amplitude two-day free music festival next month. Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment,…

Residents across Pembrokeshire are set to benefit in extra support following the launch of the Low Income Family Tracker (LIFT) initiative. The pilot scheme aims to maximise household income for local residents through a targeted approach, ensuring that those eligible are fully claiming all of their entitlements. LIFT is a tool administered by analytics company Policy in Practice. The software platform will bring together multiple datasets thus providing a more holistic view of households and valuable insights which will help maximise resident’s income and reduce their costs. The initial 12-month pilot seeks to contribute to addressing the £68m worth of…

Blackwood Miners’ Institute Recognized as a Top-Rated Attraction in Wales. Caerphilly CBC has announced that Blackwood Miners’ Institute has been recognized in Tripadvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards for 2025. Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award winners are among the top 10% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor. As the world’s largest travel guidance platform, Tripadvisor has unparalleled authority with travellers and diners. This award is based on genuine feedback from anyone in the community who has visited and left an authentic, first-hand review on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period, making it a valuable and trustworthy designation of travellers’ favourites. Cllr Jamie Pritchard,…

Monmouthshire County Council’s Trading Standards has issued a warning to retailers and consumers in Monmouthshire regarding the sale of counterfeit “Labubu by Pop Mart” toys. Trading Standards officers have been visiting retailers throughout Monmouthshire to provide advice and remove counterfeit Labubu toys that pose a safety risk to young children. Many of the fake products removed from sale are poorly constructed, with eyes, hands and feet which break off easily, and poor quality stitching. In addition, some of the products do not carry the legally required safety labelling, such as the CE or UKCA mark, or the name and address…

A unique type of foster care in Powys offers carers over £19,000 plus, the first of its kind in Wales. As a reflective foster carer, you will be on call to provide immediate support to children and young people when they need it most. You will receive over£19,000 a year for just being available, plus £250 per week when a child is in your care. Most of your payment is tax free, and you will receive five weeks annual leave, 24-hour support and specialist training. Cabinet Member for Future Generations, Cllr Sandra Davies said: “If you are passionate about caring…

The Deputy First Minister has visited a community living in the shadow of a disused coal tip in Rhondda Cynon Taf to discuss the significant ongoing investment being made to protect communities like theirs across Wales. The Graig Ddu Dinas Tip, located above Graigddu Road in Dinas, represents one of several projects being supported by the Welsh Government to ensure communities are safe for generations to come. Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council has received nearly £40m in Coal Tip Safety Grant funding since 2021, including over £11m of funding allocated this year. The funding is being used for tip…

Liquidity keeps things running when timing’s off. It’s what covers the space between money coming in and bills going out. Easy to ignore when things are smooth, but critical when they’re not. It’s a key part of financial health and liquidity. And smart business liquidity planning gives you more control when it matters most. You’ll learn what liquidity really looks like day to day, why good sales don’t always mean stability, and how a few habits can keep you ahead of cash flow trouble. What is Liquidity, and Why Does It Matter? It’s not complicated. Liquidity just means you’ve got…

Criminal defence solicitors might not be the first port of call for someone who’s innocent of a crime—but they absolutely should be. Contrary to popular belief, needing a defence lawyer doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. In reality, innocent people can and do find themselves accused of serious offences, and without the right legal guidance, the consequences can be devastating. Criminal defence solicitors in Leicester, Nottingham, or wherever you may live can protect your rights, reputation and future if you’re caught up in an unexpected legal nightmare. In this blog, we’ll explain why having criminal defence is crucial for the…