‘Masked men walked into Pentwynmawr takeaway with fake gun’ – court hears (From Campaign Series)

‘Masked men walked into Pentwynmawr takeaway with fake gun’ – court hears

11:26am Wednesday 17th October 2012 in News

TWO masked men walked into a Valleys takeaway brandishing an imitation gun and hammer in “a terrifying incident”, a court heard.

Cardiff Crown Court was told how customers at the Taste of India, High Street, Pentwynmawr, could only see the men’s eyes, as they robbed owner Mohammed Uddin of £300.

Kyran Peplar, 22, of Oakland Terrace, Crumlin and Jacob Loisz, 19, of Quantock Drive, Risca, have already pleaded guilty to robbery, with Peplar also admitting possessing an imitation firearm with intent to burgle.

Daniel Burston, 24, of Llanarth Road, Pontllanfraith, is on trial after denying robbery - prosecutors allege it was a joint enterprise between the three men, with Burston the getaway driver.

Prosecutor Ieuan Bennett said the robbery happened at 9.50pm on Sunday, April 22, with a metal construction hammer and a two foot long double barrel gun used. Neither of the weapons have been recovered by police.

Mr Bennett said: “The two men were disguised in coats, gloves, their faces hidden by masks, scarves and hoods so all customers could see were their eyes. It was a terrifying incident for those inside the takeaway.”

Burston claims he didn’t know his two friends planned to rob the takeaway, but Mr Bennett said this is “simply impossible”.

At the time of the incident, both Loisz and Burston were living with Burston’s sister on Albion Terrace, Blackwood. On the day of the robbery, they left together at 7pm and returned at 11.30pm.

They drove off in what Mr Bennett described as “Burston’s pride and joy, a rather strange-looking, light blue, modified Renault Clio”.

CCTV footage from Pentwynmawr was shown to jurors - it showed the Clio park in a lane near the takeaway two minutes before the robbery. The shadows of two men exiting via the passenger door are visible, before the car waits with its headlights off and leaves when they return.

Mr Bennett added: “It’s simply impossible he didn’t know what was going on. Why would good friends not tell him? And why would he not notice a gun and hammer, scarves, balaclavas and gloves?”

Initially, only Peplar was arrested. But, following this, Burston phoned police falsely claiming his car had been stolen.

This claim led to his arrest, with Mr Bennett saying he made up the story in panic to try and cover his tracks.

Burston’s sister Elizabeth Davies described him as “timid”, saying he would never get involved in an armed robbery, while his estranged wife Cerys Burston said he had been with her until 6pm the night of the incident.