Raids were certainly calculated

One of McGarva’s victims said she had endured a “despicable, sustained attack”.

In the days after the raid on Nicky’s Convenience Store in Kincardine, Nicky Erskine described her attacker as “callous” and said there was “clear intent to hurt and cause injury, and potentially kill”.

The 44-year-old said: “This was an attack which was obviously calculated.

“I have sustained serious injuries to my person and will need time to heal both mentally and physically.”

She said at the time: “I hope in the coming days and weeks that the perpetrator shall be brought to justice for his crimes at multiple shop locations.

“I’d like to say thank you to all the community, staff and family for their support and kindness, and warm thoughts.

“A special thank you goes to the people who helped with the immediate aftermath of the attack.”

Meanwhile, former Burntisland subpostmistress Maria Nawaz, 36, said after the incident in January: “I don’t feel I could work behind a counter again now.”

Speaking earlier this year, she revealed her nine-year-old daughter had complained of feeling unwell on the day her post office was targeted but she convinced her to go to school instead of bringing her along to work.

“It’s the best thing I could have done,” she added.