Jail for gang of robbers who terrorised elderly post office staff
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 pleading guilty to robbery. Morris also pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article.
The defendants robbed a post office in Dyffryn Road, Rhydyfelin, Pontypridd, on February 7. At the time of the robbery, the 74-year-old postmistress and two employees, aged 64 and 61, were present.
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.’”
It was estimated that the defendants stole in the region of £17,500, but some of the money was recovered after it was dropped by Morris.
A bystander took down the details of the vehicle and gave them to the police. Williams later handed himself into police and Morris and Jones were arrested.
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 post office robbery and a separate burglary.