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Postmaster 'hit out at robber'
A POST-master has told a jury how he tried to hit a gun-carrying armed robber with his fist in a bungled raid in which a Beverley woman is accused of being the getaway driver.
Postmaster Robert Baker (52) said he reacted out of shock after refusing to open up his North Newbald post office counter.
He said he was threatened by a six-feet tall man who flung open the door wearing a black balaclava. Mr Baker was giving evidence at the opening of the trial of Cecil Stephens (46) and his alleged getaway driver Doreen Cramman (51), of Arden Road, Beverley.
Both deny charges of attempted robbery at the post office around 10am on Saturday December 15 2007.
Mrs Cramman was stopped while driving a car with Stephens by her side minutes after Beverley police were called to the scene, Hull Crown Court was told.
She claimed to have been thinking of moving to Newbald and was simply waiting for Stephens around the corner from the post office, after Stephens was answering a call of nature. She was shocked when police stopped her car and accused her of a crime.
The court heard that Mr Baker was punched as he argued with a robber over who was the keyholder for the secure counter door inside the village shop.
Mr Baker said: “He was carrying a gun in one hand. He said: ‘You know the score. Just give me the money and no one will get hurt’.”
He told the jury: “The door flew open and just this one person came in. He was a very large man dressed in black. He had a balaclava down to eye level, hood and big jacket. He had a large bulbous nose and black skin. The problem I had was to get to the till to show him there was no money in it.”
Mr Baker said the robber went round to his side of the counter and he blocked his way.
“Then he hit me. I stood my ground and he knocked me to the floor. I was hit on the right side of the cheek and lost my specs.
“ I didn’t know where the gun was at that time. I was arguing with him. I kept telling him I didn’t have the keys for the post office,” he said.
Mr Baker said that eventually his wife came downstairs and her Alsatian dog went running up to the robber, who Mr Baker took a swing at with his left hand. The gunman then left and Mr Baker closed and bolted the door behind him.
Crown barrister David Smith told the jury the robber then ran to a waiting S-reg Vauxhall Corsa in Townend Road, which set off towards Walkington Head.
Police were told by a witness that an armed robbery was in progress and the two defendants were stopped by a police officer on his way to the scene.
Mrs Cramman was in the driver’s seat and Mr Stephens was her passenger.
A search revealed a balaclava, gloves and hoody top under Mr Stephens’ seat.
An imitiation gun was found 400m back, thrown in a hedgerow.
Mr Stephens was taken to a police station, where he said: "I didn't do it."
Mrs Cramman said she was driving towards her home in Beverley after looking at a house in Newbald when Mr Stephens said he wanted to relieve himself.
“She said he went outside for about five minutes,” said Mr Smith.
“He returned and got back in the car. She said she was shocked when she was stopped by the police.”
The trial continues.
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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