Jump directly to the content
Exclusive
'Shoot her, she's not with me'

Quick-thinking granddad’s remark baffles bank robber aiming gun at his wife before wrestling him to the ground

Remark baffled crook, allowing have-a-go hero Tommy Jones to wrestle gunman to the ground after tense stand-off

A GRANDAD foiled a bank raid by telling a robber pointing a gun at his wife: “Shoot her mate, she’s not with me.”

Tommy Jones, 50, said his quick-thinking remark baffled Jonathan Pay, allowing him to wrestle the crook to the ground.

 Grandad Tommy confused shooter who was pointing gun at wife Abbey
4
Grandad Tommy confused shooter who was pointing gun at wife AbbeyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

But the trucker was then stabbed by Pay’s accomplice and shot in the face with an airgun.

The pellet is still lodged in his brain.

Dad-of-four Tommy had gone into  Lloyds bank in Liphook, Hants, with wife  Abbey in May.

 CCTV shows moment Pay pulls gun on customers and staff at bank
4
CCTV shows moment Pay pulls gun on customers and staff at bankCredit: Solent News
 Jonathan Pay was given 16½ years’ jail at Winchester crown court
4
Jonathan Pay was given 16½ years’ jail at Winchester crown courtCredit: Solent News

Pay, 46, and his accomplice, who has not been  caught, demanded money from the cashier.

Tommy said: “Pay put a gun to my wife’s head and said he’d shoot her if they didn’t get it.

“I said, ‘Shoot her, she is nothing to do with me.’ I called his bluff and it threw him. So I punched him to the floor.”

He also revealed Abbey was not best pleased.

 Jones was stabbed and shot in the face by Pays accomplice
4
Jones was stabbed and shot in the face by Pays accompliceCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

He added: “Afterwards she said to me, ‘Well, thank you very much’.”

Tommy has since been referred to a specialist  over the pellet, which has left him in pain and with sleep problems.

He and Abbey, 49, of Headley Down, Hants, are up for  a Chief Constable’s bravery award.

Pay, of Lindford, Hants, got 16½ years’ jail at Winchester crown court.