Graig-Y-Rhacca post office worker bravely saw off two robbers who threatened her with a gun

A 71-year-old post office worker bravely saw off two would-be robbers who threatened her with a gun.

James Price, 16, and David Andrews, 21, tried to rob Graig-Y-Rhacca post office on February 8 this year wearing balaclavas and a paintballing mask.

The pair entered the shop and pointed the imitation firearm at 71-year-old Carol Jones.

Cardiff Crown Court was told how Mrs Jones, who has worked at the post office for several year, calmly told Price and Andrews to leave otherwise she would call the police. At the time, she had no idea the gun was an imitation.

They left the post office and went to a property in Longfellow Gardens where they broke-in through a kitchen window and stole £52.

On Thursday March 19, Price, of Keble Court, Graig-Y-Rhacca, was sentenced to three years and six months in a young offenders institute, while Andrews, also of Keble Court, was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Simon White, of Gwent Police, said: “This was a particularly frightening incident which left the victims extremely shaken. We would like to thank them and members of the community for being so helpful and co-operative and that, along with good work from officers from a number of specialities across the force, led to the arrests shortly after the reported incidents.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the spirit of the community in pulling together, residents will no doubt be reassured that these two individuals are now in the custody of the prison service.”