Widower terrorised by masked robbers has died of cancer
APENSIONER who was left traumatised after masked men broke into his home and demanded money has died.
Gwyn Jones was at home when three men, armed with a knife and a baseball bat, broke in and demanded money from him.
His family say they believe the terrifying raid was too much for the 87-year-old, who was already suffering from cancer and had recently lost his wife.
His son, John, said he struggled on after the ordeal at his home in Llandudno Junction on March 3, but that he died on Friday, having “given up on life”.
John said: “My father was totally petrified of the three men when they came into his house.
“He ended up shaking and crying in front of them.
“I’ve never seen him like that before – my dad was always quite a hard man.
“They ransacked his bedroom, it was awful seeing pictures of our mum just tipped on to the floor.
“After the robbery he no longer wanted to live in his home of 50 years, he was desperate to leave and we were trying to get him a warden-controlled place.
“It was tragic seeing a proud man reduced to being terrified in his own home.
“He’d tell me he heard footsteps at night, and the consultant at Ysbyty Gwynedd said the trauma didn’t help his illness at all, that he was suffering from what he described as ‘traumatic psychological trauma’.
“My dad told me the robbery just finished him.”
At the time of his ordeal the father of four was grieving for his late wife, Margaret, who had died a few months previously.
The devoted couple had been married for 59 years. He was also battling as yet undiagnosed cancer.
Gwyn’s daughter, Pat, said: “It’s such a cruel end to a wonderful man who was so respected in his community.
“Dad worked hard all his life, and was for years on the committee of the Labour Club.
“After the robbery the community wanted to help him, but he refused as he was a proud man.
“But he was so scared of being alone, even in hospital.
“We want these men who did this to him to be brought to justice. He didn’t deserve it.”
Family friend Mike Priestley added: “I knew Gwyn since I was a child, and thought the world of him. “My thoughts are with his family.” Sgt Paul Bricknell said: “We were very sad to hear of the death of Mr Jones and we send our condolences to his family.
“Our investigation into the robbery continues.
“We are particularly interested in tracing a silver estate car that made off from the area at the time, which we believe was a Vauxhall Insignia.
“If you saw this car in the area or know of its whereabouts, contact police on 101 quoting reference V030139.”