A MAN was told he faces a long jail sentence after he admitted carrying out an armed robbery with a knife at a Post Office.

Jay Strickland, 24, pleaded guilty to the raid at Cwmbran’s Maendy Square on the morning of Monday, September 13.

Strickland got away with between £200 and £300.

Armed officers and a police helicopter were scrambled to the scene.

South Wales Argus:

The Post Office at Cwmbran’s Maendy Square

At the time, a Gwent Police spokesperson said: “We received a report of a robbery at a premises in Maendy Square, Cwmbran at around 6.50am on Monday, September 13.

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“A man entered a shop and reportedly threatened the staff member with a knife before leaving with a quantity of cash.

“The member of staff was not harmed.

“Officers attended, supported by specially-trained firearms officers and the National Police Air Service (NPAS), and a man from the Cwmbran area was arrested on suspicion of robbery.”

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At Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Huw Rees told Strickland: “This was a robbery with a weapon.

“You must prepare yourself for an immediate prison sentence of some length.”

The judge adjourned sentence until October 22.

The defendant, of no fixed abode, appeared in court via video link from Cardiff Prison, and was remanded in custody.

Strickland was defended by Ieuan Bennett and the prosecution represented by Jeffrey Jones.