Youth locked up for armed robbery bid

The only reason the robbery didn't take place was the bravery of the proprietor, 73-year-old Thelma George, who brandished her walking-stick and chased 17-year-old labourer Kyle Hillman from the premises, Cardiff crown court heard.

Hillman, of Waun Heulog, Nantyglo, was found guilty of charges of attempted robbery and possessing an imitation firearm.

Judge David Wynn Morgan told him: "You attempted to rob a vulnerable, elderly victim in vulnerable premises."

He said Hillman pointed a pistol at Mrs George and demanded that she fill a plastic bag with money from the till.

"Firearms are a rare occurrence in Brynmawr and she was not able to tell it was not real.

"She was outraged and was not going to let you take a penny. She grasped her walking stick and chased you from the premises.

"Only after you had gone did she realise what she had done and she was extremely distressed."

He said the kind of behaviour displayed by her was not to be encouraged. He described it as "extraordinary" and added: "She is a remarkable woman."

The evidence, said the judge, indicated that it was a premeditated, daring crime.

Prosecutor Ieuan Morris said that on February 2, wearing a balaclava and in possession of an imitation pistol, Hillman went to Wendy's Off Licence in King Street, Brynmawr, where Mrs George was behind the counter.

When he pointed the pistol at her and demanded she hand over money, she shouted at him to leave and chased him, shaking her walking stick. Hillman was arrested shortly afterwards and the packaging for the gun was found at his home.

Hillman denied being responsible for the offence, said he didn't own a balaclava, had not gone to the shop and used the gun for shooting birds.

Mrs George said yesterday: "It is good enough for him," adding the judge's comments about her bravery were "very nice".

Mrs George added that she had acted on the spur of the moment and had no idea if she would do the same again.