Bravery award for Leeds postmaster who chased down gun-wielding gang

Tony Williams gave chase after his Boston Spa post office was targeted by two armed raiders who threatened staff and customers. The gang members - who were disguised in wigs, hats and women’s clothing, with one being pushed in a wheelchair - were jailed earlier this year,

The efforts of the postmaster and several bystanders who helped detectives with their investigation will be recognised with a bravery award at a ceremony this evening.

“I knew something was about to happen when they came in so I hit the panic button. Then he turned around with a shotgun,” he recalled.

Criminal Martin Pick was sitting in the wheelchair as he entered the shop, pulled the shotgun from underneath a blanket, leapt up to the counter and shouted: “Give us your money, where’s the money?”

Pick’s son, Declan, who was pushing the wheelchair, produced an air pistol, pointed it at Mr Williams and pulled the trigger, but nothing appeared to be fired.

Mr Williams said: “I just felt outrage at the cheek of him thinking he could shoot me.

“I think it was the adrenaline that made me chase them.”

When the gang fled the shop, Mr Williams followed but was hit in the head with a crowbar in the scuffle that ensued.

Several members of the public came to his aid during the chase.

After one of the robbers was pulled to the floor and held down by bystanders, a third man, Mark Pick, got out of a getaway car and fired a double-barrelled shotgun into the air.

Following the robbery, Mr Williams had doubts about carrying on with the business and even put it up for sale - but has recently taken it off the market.

“Sometimes, even two years on, I get flashbacks but I’m trying to get over it and get on with my life” he said.