A SWANSEA Valley man has appeared in court charged with a £6,000 armed robbery and kidnap at Pontardawe Farmfoods store last Thursday.

Jamie Craig Thomas, of Swansea Road, Trebanos, has been charged with robbery, possessing a pistol, possessing cocaine and unlawfully taking or carrying away a woman.

During a brief hearing at Swansea Magistrates Court on Monday, March 16 no pleas to the charges were entered.

Anwen Evans for the prosecution, applied to the justices for Thomas to be remanded into custody.

Speaking for Thomas, Craig Davies said his client would oppose the application.

Magistrates said the seriousness of the charges meant the case would have to be sent to Crown Court.

Thomas will remain in custody until he appears for a preliminary hearing next Monday.

Armed police and helicopter were deployed last Thursday morning following reports that a man had threatened staff at the supermarket and made off in a Citroen Saxo.

Thomas was arrested over the weekend.

Detective Inspector Trudi Meyrick of Neath CID said: “This was a very serious incident and I would like to thank the community of Pontardawe for their support during the investigation and for their response to our media appeals for information.

“Incidents like this in an area such as Pontardawe are rare but when they do occur the community can be assured that we will do everything possible to find those responsible.”