News

Ashmole & Co delighted to welcome experienced local Payroll Clerk to the Pembrokeshire team

Published

5 years ago

August 6, 2021

ASHMOLE & CO’S Payroll team has gone from strength to strength with Richard Morse, from Fishguard, having recently joined as a Payroll Clerk in the firm’s Haverfordwest office.

Five years ago the accountancy firm had just one payroll clerk and now they are a strong team of seven. Day to day the Payroll team are the hidden heroes for local clients as they administer their pay systems.

Since COVID-19 struck Ashmole & Co’s Payroll team have been extremely busy working hard for clients to make sure they are getting all the government support they are entitled to via the Furlough Scheme.

Richard joined Ashmole & Co in March and day to day he processes clients’ payroll and helps with their enquiries.

Prior to starting with Ashmole & Co, Richard was the Manager of Fishguard Bay Hotel. He worked at the hotel for 23 years working his way up from being a restaurant team member to being the Hotel Manager for the final three years. During his 11 years as Assistant Manager Richard was in charge of payroll for the hotel’s staff.

Welcoming Richard to the team, William Hughes, Partner in the Tenby and Haverfordwest Ashmole & Co offices, said, “We are absolutely delighted to have Richard, with his local knowledge and experience in payroll, join our team. Our dedicated payroll team allows local companies to be relieved of the burden of administering their payroll. The last 18 months have been especially difficult for so many employers having to furlough staff as a result of the pandemic. We have been proud to be able to help them safely through the minefield of applying for support to ensure those local employees still have jobs and are paid.”

With Ashmole and Co managing payroll, local clients can concentrate on the core activities of their business. Payroll registration, advice, compliance, investigations, bureau service and CIS contracts are all part of the service Ashmole & Co can provide.

The most rewarding part of the job for Richard is having the opportunity to build strong and fruitful working relationships with clients. He says his background in hospitality certainly assists him in his new position as being helpful and providing a friendly service is essential.

Commenting on his appointment Richard said, “Having lived and worked in Fishguard all my life I’m delighted to be able to now work with local companies and help them with their payroll as part of the team at Ashmole & Co.”

Ashmole & Co are one of the largest chartered certified accountants in south Wales. The rapidly expanding and modern firm often has job opportunities for enthusiastic individuals within the organisation. If you feel you have the qualities to be part of the team at Ashmole & Co, please email, with your CV attached, to [email protected]. Alternatively, apply for one of the specific vacancies listed on the website: www.ashmole.co.uk

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

10 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

10 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

11 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.