The Pontypridd District Herald and Rhondda Valley, Llantrisant, Caerphilly, and Mountain Ash News. — 1879-11-01 (Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

DARING ROBBERY AT A POST-OFFICE. At Wandsworth Pollen-court, London, Walter Smith, aged 17, a cabinetmaker. address refused, and Sidney Terrett, aged 17, a solicitor's clerk, who gave an address in Lambeth-walk, were charged before Mr. Paget with being concerned in a daring robbery. Mr. Haynes, jun., defended Terrett. Mrs. Mary Ann Chapman, the keeper of a post-office at Kingstotevale, said that on Saturday evening the prisoner Terrett came in for two halfpenny stamps, which she gave him. Ile went away, but returned, and naked whether a letter would be delivered in London that night. While she was telling him that a letter posted that nigot , would not be delivered until Monday morning. a I man entered, wearing a mask, and presented a pistol at her without speaking a word. At first .he thought it was fun, but, as he kept pointing the pistol at her while she was moving from the side of the counter, she found it was net and asked Terrett whether be knew him. He said he did not and had never seen him before. The other man came nearer to her. She became alarmed, and said, "What do you mean? what do you want?" He mid, "Hone,, or your life." She said, "If it is money, you shall have it; spare me." She left the shop, entered the parlour, and locked the door, then she ran down stairs, out at the back, and called "Murder," When she returned she found the men gone and the till cleared of about 19s. The prisoner Smith resembled the man who wore the mask. In cruse - examination the witness said Terrett appeared rational. She thought he was a young gentleman fresh to the neighbourhood. Police-constable Moivlan, 85 V. said he lived in the neighbourhood. and, while at home, heard screams of "Murder" and a knocking at the door. He went out and saw Mrs. Chapman, who told him what bad happened. Ile went after the men. and came up with the prisoners at thetop of" Jerry's-hill." Ile told them that be was a constable and inquired whether they had been to a shop and threatened a woman. They replied." No." Be said," Are you not carrying a revolver?" Terrett said,' No. we do not carry firearm.," but immediately fired a pistol at him. The prisoner. parted, Smith running in the direction of Wandswotth, and Terrett across to Roehampton village. He pursued Terrett, who fired at him again, and ran among the bushes on Wimbledon-common, where he lost sight of him. Smith was apprehended, and a mask was found upon him. In reply to Mr. Haynes, witness said he believed Terrett fired at him for the purpose of wounding him. Mr. Haynes: The prisoner fired only to frighten him. Inspector Shaw proved apprehending the prisoner Terrett at 2, Savilfeplace, Lambeth-walk, on Sunday morning. He said the prisoner took a five-chambered revolver from a shelf and gave it to him. He found three of the chambers loaded with ball cartridge, the other two being empty and recently discharged. Sergeant George, of the L Division, who was with the inspector, said he found in the room a box containing nineteen cartridges. On the charge being read over to the prisoner, he said he was not guilty. Mr. Paget remanded the prieoners, saying the oourage displayed by the constable was highly praiseworthy.