Man jailed for £20,000 Leeds post office terror raid

Leeds Crown Court heard a cash delivery of coins was being made to the Dixon Lane post office in Wortley when the guard was told by the post mistress that she had £20,000 in notes to be taken away.

The guard returned to his van for a security box and the money had just been put in when the robbers burst in, Patrick Gallagher prosecuting told the court.

The first man was carrying a hammer and the second, Connor Watson, a knife with an 8in blade. They snatched the container and fled within seconds.

They drove off in a car bought that morning which was later found abandoned with the hammer and knife inside.

Watson was traced because his fingerprint was found on the knife blade. He was arrested returning from Scarborough with his girlfriend who had £1,600 which he had given her.

That was the only money recovered said Mr Gallagher and the others involved had not been traced.

The court heard at the time of the raid Watson was on bail for handling offences which involved a stolen mechanical digger valued at £18,000.

A member of the public had reported the digger being driven away through a fence at a secure yard in Kirkstall, Leeds.

The digger was then put on a low loader and driven off. A short time later the vehicles were stopped with Watson driving. It turned out the low loader and the van had also been stolen.

Watson told police he had been approached by strangers and offered £100 to drive the van.

Watson, 23 of Edgeware Mount, Harehills, Leeds admitted robbery, handling stolen goods and possessing ecstasy and cocaine.

He was jailed for five years and disqualified from driving for 12 months. Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said although no one was injured in the robbery “it was a very frightening experience for the security guard.”