Woman pleads not guilty to murder – but still can’t get legal representation

A woman accused of murder has been remanded in custody after appearing at Cardiff Crown Court.

Rebecca Press, 31, of Second Avenue, Trecenydd, is charged with murdering 57-year-old Richard Marc Ash.

Press appeared in court on Thursday, August 18, where she pleaded not guilty to the murder of Richard Marc Ash.

She also pleaded not guilty to committing actual bodily harm to Michelle Chapman on the same date.

A trial lasting between two to three weeks is provisionally set to take place on January 9 next year.

However, due to ongoing industrial action, Press is still without a legal team to instruct in court.

The judge emphasised the importance of finding Press representation to her solicitors, saying: “You are going to have to look further afield.”

In a statement, Gwent Police said they were called to an address in Elliots Town, near New Tredegar, at around 12.30am on Sunday, July 17 after a man was found unresponsive.

The statement continued: “Officers attended along with paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service, who confirmed that a 57-year-old man had died.

That man was later confirmed to be Richard Marc Ash. His family described him as “a lovely person” in a tribute.