Robber caught after chucking monogrammed gun in dustbin

A DOZY armed robber has been jailed after raiding his local Post Office and dumping a gun engraved with his INITIALS in a wheelie bin.

Edward Richardson admitted the raid on the Post Office in Ramsgate, Kent – just a five minute walk from his home – after being recognised by the postmaster Ajay Patel.

Canterbury Crown Court heard on Monday how the 42-year-old was ‘desperate’ for cash and even apologised to Mr Patel during the robbery.

Richardson had stormed into the Post Office and demanded money. He took £70 from the till but fled when Mr Patel said he knew who he was. He dumped the air rifle – with the initials ER engraved on the butt – in a wheelie bin.

Police discovered the air rifle in the bin and found Richardson with the cash the same day.

Nicholas Jones, defending, told the court: “He went into a post office where he was well known, without any mask, and with an air rifle that was empty – and with his initials engraved on the butt.”

Richardson admitted robbery and possession of a firearm and was jailed for three-and-ahalf years.