Service Station Robbery Leaves Employee Traumatized, Perpetrator Sentenced

A service station robbery in Tredegar on December 23, 2023, resulted in significant emotional distress for an employee, as two men forcibly entered the premises and stole cash. The incident, which took place at the Nantybwych service station, has left the victim suffering from anxiety and flashbacks related to the traumatic event.

During the robbery, one of the assailants, identified as Liam Watts, 23, and his accomplice approached the cashier, who was behind the counter. Both men had their faces concealed and demanded that she open the cash register. The victim later recounted the harrowing experience, stating that they assured her she would not be harmed if she complied. The men ultimately took £220 in cash from the till.

According to prosecutor Jenny Yeo, after accessing the cash, Watts proceeded to the tobacco shelf, filling a bag with items before exiting the store. As they fled, one of the robbers also took a bottle of brandy. Following the incident, the victim remained behind the counter for some time, overwhelmed by the situation, before she began to cry and contacted the police.

Watts, a resident of King Street in Ebbw Vale, was arrested shortly after the robbery. Initially denying the charges, he later tested positive for fingerprints found on a packet of tobacco left at the scene. Despite his denial, he ultimately pleaded guilty to the charge of robbery.

At a sentencing hearing held at Newport Crown Court, it emerged that Watts has a criminal history with five prior convictions, including offenses related to possession of cannabis and battery. In a victim personal statement presented to the court, the affected employee expressed the profound impact of the robbery on her mental health.

She explained, “As a result of this crime, my mental health has suffered a great deal, particularly at work. I work alone at the service station with customers coming and going frequently and generally feel fine, but when I am working late afternoons and night shifts, I feel nervous and have flashbacks.” To cope, she has sought the company of friends and her partner during shifts, highlighting her ongoing struggle with anxiety even in her home environment.

In mitigation, the court heard that Watts had experienced significant personal challenges, including being subject to care proceedings as a child and losing his mother at a young age. Additionally, he was involved in a serious car accident as a passenger at the age of 17, which further complicated his life circumstances. He is currently a father to two young children.

Judge Carl Harrison sentenced Watts to a total of 27 months in prison, aiming to reflect the severity of the crime and its impact on the victim’s life. The case underscores the ongoing issue of violence against workers in public-facing roles and the lasting effects such incidents can have on individuals and communities.