A MASKED, knife-wielding robber who threatened to kill a Newport Post Office worker if she did not co-operate was locked up yesterday.

Thomas Fletcher, 18, was part of a gang of four who targeted Rhiwderin Post Office as workers Jackie Jones, 63, and Pamela James, 57, were cashing up just after 5pm on September 20.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Fletcher and two others came crashing into the shop wearing hooded tops, Fletcher also had a bandana across his face.

While just two feet away from Mrs Jones, he gestured towards his own throat with the knife and said: “I don’t want to kill you, don’t force me to. Don’t do anything stupid and I won’t kill you.”

Despite this, she pushed him away but was pushed back and fell, suffering two bruises and a cut.

In the struggle, his bandana slipped and Mrs Jones recognised him.

While this was going on, another one of the robbers grabbed £915 cash from the till and a bottle of alcohol from the shelf.

Mrs Jones managed to swipe at the hand of one of the robbers carrying the cash, knocking some of it onto the floor, before the trio made off.

Defending, Leighton Hughes said Fletcher showed clear evidence of remorse for what he had done.

He added: “He has always been a good young man until committing this extraordinary offence.”

Fletcher, of Neville Street, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon and robbery and was sent to a young offenders institution for three years and eight months.

Sentencing him, judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC said both ladies working at the post office “acted with exceeding bravery.”

As reported previously in the Argus, Fletcher’s accomplices, Ali Miah, 18, of Norbury Road, Cardiff, and a 15-year-old from Newport who cannot be named, were sent to a young offenders institution for two-and-a-half years and 18 months respectively for their parts in the robbery.

The identity of the fourth robber is not known.