Ashley is asked to captain a local cricket team against his rival, Reverend Vincent Spode (Antony Byrne). Ashley reveals that he hates Vincent for stealing his ideas for a thesis at university and his girlfriend, Sally Spode (Siân Reeves), to whom Vincent is now married. Sally later turns up at the vicarage with her bags, having left Vincent. Ashley allows her to stay but when Vincent learns where Sally is, he hits Ashley, who starts to believe he has also been bullying Sally. Bishop George insists Sally and Vincent go for counselling, but Sally returns with a black eye and Ashley allows her to stay, despite Laurel's unhappiness. A fire is started in the church and Laurel is trapped but is rescued by Ashley and Zak Dingle (Steve Halliwell). Laurel becomes convinced Sally started the fire and when Ashley refuses to believe her, she and the children leave. Eventually Ashley realises that he wants his family back. However, Sally reveals that she and Ashley are having an affair. Ashley denies it but he is suspended from the church and Sally later accuses him of sexual assault. Edna Birch (Shirley Stelfox) and Bishop George believe Sally until she admits she lied before wrecking Ashley's house and leaves. Laurel returns but makes it clear that their marriage will take time to repair. Sally returns and tries to get her revenge by drugging Ashley and raping him. In the aftermath, Ashley tells Laurel and they call the police. After Sally is arrested, Laurel forgives him.