Author: Rhys Gregory

The number of fraudulent cases in Wales more than doubled in 2018 compared to 2017, with 30 cases reaching court in 2018 according to the KPMG Fraud Barometer. In value terms, KPMG’s research shows a staggering jump from £4.5 million in 2017 to £18.7 million in 2018. There was also an increase in the amount of crimes carried out by employees, reminding businesses of the need for ongoing assessment of internal fraud risks and the controls they use to address those risks. In addition, unlike last year when there were no cases involving fraudsters over the age of 55, this…

Police are currently at the scene of an explosion which occurred in a small block of flats in Neath at approximately 8.30pm yesterday evening (14 January, 2019). The Waun Las block of approximately four flats in Waunceirch has been evacuated due to the extensive damage caused to the building. All occupants are accounted for and arrangements have been made to house them overnight until the building is deemed safe enough for their return. One woman has been admitted to Morriston Hospital with burn injuries which are not life threatening. A joint investigation is underway between South Wales Police and Mid…

The work of Pembrokeshire-based textile designer Sian O’Doherty can now be seen at Canolfan S4C Yr Egin as part of its stunning interior design. Sian – an award-winning designer based in Kilgetty – has created the cushions that adorn the colourful sofas inside the new digital and creative centre based at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s campus in Carmarthen. Carys Ifan, Director of Yr Egin had seen some of Sian’s designs and thought the designs would complement the building’s interior perfectly. “I was looking for something that was both traditional yet contemporary to compliment the interior design of…

Diabetes UK Cymru is looking for people from across Wales to take on the swimming challenge of the year, Swim22, between 22 February and 22 May. Swim22 participants will cover an incredible 22 miles; the equivalent of crossing the English Channel. People taking on the challenge can swim in their local pool alone or, better still, with family, friends or colleagues. The distance can even be split between a team to make it easier for everyone. Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. Wales has the highest…

Drugs and homelessness have claimed the lives of 60 people in Wrexham over the past six years. The grim death toll – equivalent to 10 fatalities a year – is marked on a Memory Tree at a hostel run by a homeless charity in the town And the memorial at The Wallich’s Tŷ Croeso home on Grosvenor Road will soon be adding another five names to the sad list. North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones was appalled to hear the shocking statistic. He is a committed campaigner for the reform of the UK’s drugs laws and supports organisations…

Established accountancy firm Bevan Buckland LLP is no stranger to providing assistance with tax returns. With the 31st January 2019 deadline fast approaching, the team behind Bevan Buckland LLP is spreading the word about how to complete self-assessment returns as accurately and successfully as possible. Their advice will be music to many sole traders’ and business owners’ ears, particularly as a recent study found that more than a quarter of tax returns in January 2018 – that’s 1,290,948 altogether – were submitted less than 48 hours before the self-assessment filing deadline at midnight.Around 30,348 of those were left literally to the…

South Wales Police can confirm that a body of a man was found in a wooded area near Bryntirion, Bridgend, on Sunday, January 13, 2019. Mr Cook, 44, was last seen at his home in Bryntirion between 3.30pm and 4.00pm on Friday 11 January. When last seen he was wearing blue jeans, trainers and a dark Superdry hooded top and a flat cap. Formal identification has yet to take place however the family of Neil Cook, who was reported missing on Friday, January 11, have been informed of the development and are being supported by specially trained officers. The death…

Social media influencers have faced heavy criticism for promoting a ‘loot box’ website. When anything controversial happens, the high-profile YouTuber Jake Paul isn’t usually too far away. Both Jake and Brian “RiceGum Le” have recently featured a company called Mystery Brand in recent videos, where people exchange money for unidentified prizes. Buyers can then choose to open the boxes and sell on, without receiving the physical items. The controversy all comes down to gambling laws and whether or not the Mystery Brand website is breaking any laws in their respective countries, or certainly advertising using social media influencers (although these…

Leading regional practice RDP Law has welcomed Kerry Beynon as a partner. Dr Beynon will head up RDP’s commercial / corporate team and will spearhead the launch of the firm’s new Intellectual Property and Data Protection services. Dr Beynon, a key influencer in her field, speaks internationally on the subjects of Data Protection and Cyber Security and has spoken recently at GISEC (the largest cyber security exhibition in the Middle East, Africa and Asia) and at the European Cyber Security Week in France. She said, “As a leading practice with a strong ethos and identity I am thrilled to be…

GMB, the energy union, is calling on the UK government to step in to ensure that Construction of the £16million Wylfa nuclear power plant in North Wales goes ahead. The cancellation by the Board of Japanese company Hitachi is expected on Monday, and the GMB says it will leave the UK’s energy plans “reduced to tatters”. It is the second time that GMB has called on the government to be prepared to take action over Wylfa, after the future of the project became less clear back in December. The Union says that the UK needs at least six new Nuclear…