Brave shop staff caught would-be ‘gun’ robber

A BRAVE shop manager and cashier managed to catch a would-be robber who they believed had a gun and detained him until the police arrived.

Cardiff Crown Court heard the pair chased Lee Morgan as he ran out of a Spar convenience store in Cardiff after demanding cash from the till.

Morgan had told them “I have a gun”, according to prosecutor Julian Greenwood.

The court heard the incident occurred at the shop in Heol Llanishen Fach, Rhiwbina, on May 3.

South Wales Police were called to the scene at around 2.30pm.

Mr Greenwood confirmed the incident was caught on CCTV and played the footage to the court.

Morgan was caught on camera walking along Heol Llanishen Fach and approaching the shop wearing a balaclava.

The cashier was serving customers when he burst in with what appeared to be a gun.

Mr Greenwood said: “He demanded money from the till.”

The court heard the cashier pressed a button to sound an alarm and Morgan shouted: “Don’t ring the police.”

Prosecutors said he “panicked” and ran out, pursued by the shop manager and cashier.

Mr Greenwood told the court the staff were “undeterred” when he told them he had a gun.

He said they managed to stop the defendant and kept him inside the shop until police officers arrived at the scene.

The case was listed for a plea and trial preparation hearing before Judge Eleri Rees yesterday .

Morgan, 48, from Hollybush Estate in Coryton, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possessing an imitation firearm.

The defendant, dressed in a red T-shirt, appeared via video link from HM Prison Cardiff for the hearing.

David Leathley, defending, said: “He told me he was hearing voices in his head.”

Judge Rees ordered a psychiatric report. Morgan was remanded in custody until he is sentenced on July 9.