**Service Station Robbery in Tredegar Leaves Employee Deeply Traumatised**
An incident at Nantybwych service station in Tredegar has left a staff member shaken and struggling with ongoing trauma after she was forcibly grabbed during a robbery last December. The distressing event unfolded on 23 December 2023, when two masked men entered the establishment and carried out a brazen theft, causing significant distress to the worker involved.
According to details presented at Newport Crown Court, 23-year-old Liam Watts and an unnamed accomplice entered the service station shortly before Christmas, their faces obscured to conceal their identities. The pair wasted no time, heading directly behind the counter and confronting the lone cashier, who was simply doing her job at the time. The court heard that as the incident escalated, one of the men reached out and physically grabbed the cashier, leaving her feeling helpless.
Despite telling the cashier she would not be harmed if she complied, the men ordered her to open the till. They fled with approximately £220 in cash. Before leaving, the robbers helped themselves to tobacco products and a bottle of brandy, further compounding the violation. CCTV evidence and forensic analysis later linked Watts to the crime, with his fingerprints found on a tobacco packet discarded at the scene.
The aftermath of the robbery was described as harrowing for the victim. After the suspects had left, the cashier was so shaken she remained behind the counter, eventually succumbing to tears before contacting the police. In a heartfelt statement read out during sentencing, the victim explained the profound impact the robbery has had on her daily life. She revealed she is frequently beset by flashbacks and now faces anxiety, particularly during late shifts at the service station.
Her emotional account detailed how she often asks friends or her partner to accompany her at work to help her feel safe. Even at home, the experience has left her feeling nervous and on edge when she is alone—evidence of the far-reaching effects violent crime can have on ordinary people. This testimony highlights an often-overlooked aspect of such incidents: the enduring psychological harm suffered by victims.
During the trial, Watts initially denied involvement. However, the discovery of his fingerprints proved incriminating, leading him to eventually admit his guilt to the charge of robbery. The court also heard of Watts’ troubled background. He is reported to have lost his mother at a young age and spent part of his childhood in care. Additional context was provided about his personal challenges, such as surviving a serious car accident at the age of 17 and experiencing difficulties related to substance use.
But for Judge Carl Harrison, the severity of the crime and its lasting effects on the victim carried considerable weight. Emphasising the gravity of the robbery and its long-term repercussions, Judge Harrison handed Watts a prison sentence of 27 months. The length of the sentence reflects the court’s recognition of the seriousness of attacking an individual in the workplace and the need to offer some measure of justice for those affected.
This case illustrates a wider reality faced by many lone workers across the country, who can find themselves vulnerable to crime while performing everyday duties. It also brings into sharp focus the challenge courts face in balancing mitigating circumstances for perpetrators with the need to safeguard the wellbeing of victims and the public.
Community concern has understandably risen following the incident, with local residents and retail staff discussing ways to improve security and provide better support to those who suffer as a result of such traumatic events. The outcome of the trial serves as a reminder of both the criminal justice system’s power to hold perpetrators accountable and the long road to recovery many victims face after their ordeal.