Robbers targeted post office run by elderly women

A KNIFE-WIELDING gang who stole £17,000 when they ransacked a safe at a post office run by three elderly women have been jailed.

Liam Williams, 25, Jason Morris, 28, and Daniel Morgan Jones, 27, were sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday after they pleaded guilty to robbery.

Morris also pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article.

The defendants robbed the post office in Dyffryn Road, Rhydyfelin, Pontypridd, on February 7 this year after expectant dad Williams visited the premises earlier that day to “check it out”.

At the time of the robbery the 74-year-old postmistress and two employees, aged 64 and 61, were present.

Describing the offence, prosecutor Richard Ace said: “[The defendants] returned at 10am and then drove the car into the road at the front of the post office, leaving the engine running.

“Morris and Jones got out, leaving Liam Williams in the passenger seat. They were wearing hooded tops with the hoods up, both wearing gloves, and Jones had sunglasses on.

“They went straight to the main counter, Morris followed by Jones, and at that stage Morris was carrying a knife, which was later seized.

“On seeing the males [an employee] looked through the glass and saw them going to the safe behind the counter. She began to scream and shout hysterically to the postmistress: ‘We’re being robbed.’

“The defendants then left – Jones followed by Morris, who was carrying a large bundle of cash. He pushed the employee and she said: ‘Please don’t hurt me, don’t push me over.’

“A customer could see the incident and tried to grab the defendant Morris; however, he managed to get away. They got into the nearby vehicle which then sped away.”

It was estimated the amount taken was in the region of £17,500 but some was dropped by Morris.

Williams handed himself in and Morris and Jones were later arrested.

During the hearing Jones was also sentenced for a separate burglary, which he committed with Jamie Price, 34, at a property in West Grove, Merthyr Tydfil, on March 9.

The defendants burgled the house at 2.40am, with the occupants Mr and Mrs Griffiths inside.

Among the items taken were an iPad, cameras, a mobile phone and a bottle of Prosecco.

The defendants were discovered when officers attended an address in Merthyr Tydfil to arrest Jones for his involvement in the post office robbery, where they found the stolen items in a drawer.

The court heard representations from each defendant’s barrister, with Morris, Jones and Price blaming their offending on spiralling drug habits and debts. The court also heard Williams was expecting his first child.

Sentencing, Judge Richard Twomlow said: “The scene inside the post office was an unpleasant one for those who worked there and a customer who became involved. It’s right to say the knife wasn’t used to threaten anybody, although it was worrying there was possession of a knife.”

Williams, of Penylan Road, Varteg, Pontypool, was sentenced to five years and three months’ imprisonment. Morris, of Maes Ganol, Rhydyfelin, was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment.

Jones, of Heol Twyn Du, Merthyr Tydfil, was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for the robbery and burglary offences. Price, of Oak Road, Merthyr Tydfil, was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment.