A blind man and an elderly woman who tackled a ‘hi

A blind man and an elderly woman who tackled a ‘highly dangerous’ armed robber were commended for their heroism by an Old Bailey today (THURS).

The pair joined four other brave members of public who pounced on Ambrose Atoro, 20, when he raided a Post Office in Enfield with a fake Magnum gun.

Atoro had escaped from a mental hospital the previous day after failing to take his medication.

Postmaster Clive Cook was injured when the robber battered his face and head with the heavy gun – a replica of the model used by Dirty Harry.

Seeing him injured, partially blind Richard Brett, 70, beat the robber with his white stick while customer John Weafer grabbed him round the neck.

Joan Worland, 65, Paul Pavlou and Kenny Riley joined the throng of have-a-go-heroes when they helped restrain the criminal until police arrived.

The court was told Ms Worland had to take two weeks off work from the effects of stress.

Judge Martin Stephens, QC, said the six members of the public should be rewarded out of public funds.

‘I feel the members of the public involved in the arrest are worthy of commendation.

‘It was so important what they did because he was a very dangerous man and has been arrested and brought to justice as a result of what these people did in a very public spirited way.

‘They had no idea whether the gun was loaded or not.

These people are all worthy of the highest praise and commendation of this court.

‘They have all showed conspicuous bravery, some elderly, some disabled, but all helped bring a very dangerous man to justice.

‘

Prosecutor Sean Larkin said Atoro had escaped from the Chase Farm hospital in Enfield the previous day and slept rough overnight.

He went to Brick Lane Post Office in Hertford Road, Enfield, on the morning of July 6, 2000.

The shop was packed with children, buggies and elderly citizens collecting their pensions.

Mr Larkin said: ‘He went to the post office counter where he saw Horace Brewster, produced the firearm and pointed it at him and said: “Give me money.

”

‘Mr Brewster made efforts to alert other staff and reached for the panic alarm.

‘Atoro told him: “Do you want me to shoot you?” An elderly female pushed Mr Atoro and he began to try to escape.

‘The door was shut and Atoro pointed the gun at postmaster Clive Cook and hit him on the head and face, which ultimately needed four stitches to a lip and three to a wound in the head.

‘Other persons joined in and Atoro was dispossessed but continued to struggle.

The police arrested him and he made a full admission in interview.

‘He said the gun came from a hiding place near to his former address.

He intended to get money to live on.

‘

Atoro, a schizophrenic, was committed to a secure hospital unit without restriction of time by Judge Stephens after he considered two medical reports.

Last living in the hospital he admitted attempted robbery, possessing an imitation firearm with intent, and wounding Mr Cook with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He has previous convictions for robbery and burglary dating back to 1996.

Mr Cook was awarded pnds stlg 400 with the five other members of the public who were involved receiving pnds stlg 250 each.

ends