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Wednesday, 26 January, 2000, 18:57 GMT
Postman injured by booby trap

Postman on rounds Greg Powell was on his rounds when he was blown up

A village postman was blown up when he triggered a booby trap bomb set up to scare away burglars.

Greg Powell, 30, walked into a tripwire rigged up across a garden path as he delivered mail to a cottage.

Mr Powell, a Rhondda Cynon Taff councillor, was thrown off his feet by the blast from the device made out of shotgun cartridges, a spring and a trigger.

I've never heard of anything like this for a postman - the worst I've ever had is a dog bite
Postman Greg Powell
He was off work on Wednesday after treatment for shock and minor injuries.

Police experts were called in to examine the remains of the device at the cottage in Llanharry, near Bridgend.

"It was an incredibly loud explosion. I was semi-conscious for about five minutes laying on the floor and was shaking with the shock," he said.

"I was hurt on my arms and legs when I was blown in the air but I'm lucky to be in one piece.

"This could have given someone older a heart attack or seriously hurt a child.

"I've never heard of anything like this for a postman - the worst I've ever had is a dog bite."

Mr Powell has been doing the rounds for 18 months in the quiet cul-de-sac of five cottages.

"I normally get there after 8am but I was early - getting there at about 6.55am. I parked my van as usual and walked towards the house, sorting the mail as I went," he added.

Greg Powell Greg Powell was stunned by the blast
"When I arrived at the gate there was a loud bang and a flash of light and a piece of metal flew past my head."

The Plaid Cymru councillor lay stunned on the floor while the dust from the explosion settled around him.

He said: "I just didn't know what had hit me. The mail was everywhere and I just lay on the floor not knowing what to think.

"But I eventually got to my feet and struggled to the front door where the owner of the cottage was waiting.

"When he explained to me what had happened I drove to the nearest phone box and dialled 999."

Mr Powell, of Llanharan, Bridgend, has been given leave by the Post Office to get over the shock.

A father-of-two, 44, has been charged with assault and will appear in court at a later date.

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