Sword robbery brothers are jailed

Two brothers who carried out a violent robbery at a Neath post office have been jailed at Swansea Crown Court.

Ryad and Richard Morgan, 28 and 25, wore black balaclavas and went armed with a Samurai sword and a starting pistol to the Briton Ferry branch.

They tied up postmaster Andrew Ball and terrorised him into handing over £26,000, injuring him in the process.

Ryad Morgan, who denied his part, was jailed for 12 years and Richard Morgan, who pleaded guilty, had seven years.

The court heard that Mr Ball had suffered "a life-changing experience" and needed plastic surgery on his facial injuries.

He said in a victim impact statement: "I will never forget the madness in the eyes of the man with the sword [Ryad Morgan]."

Judge Mr Justice John Griffith Williams described Ryad Morgan, of Briton Ferry, as a dangerous offender.

During Ryad Morgan's trial the jury heard the pair had waited for Mr Ball to arrive for work.

They bundled him inside the post office and tied him up.

Ryad Morgan had kicked him in the face, breaking his nose, and his brother cocked the pistol in front of his face as if to prepare to shoot.

They escaped but a police officer spotted Richard Morgan, of Port Talbot, near the post office and just three hours later officers raided his home, where they found him hiding in a loft.

They also found all the money as well as balaclavas, boiler suits and masking tape.

Ryad Morgan heard he was a wanted man and handed himself in to police the following day, but denied having been involved.

But, said Mr Justice Williams, even his own brother told police he had been there.

Mr Justice Williams said he had no doubt that Ryad Morgan had been the driving force behind the robbery.

He already had a conviction for inflicting grievous bodily harm as well as several assaults and the judge deemed him to de a dangerous offender.

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