Man jailed after 'harrowing' post office robbery

Benjamin Johnson was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison

A man has been jailed for eight years and six months after committing a "harrowing" post office robbery.

Benjamin Johnson, 33, threatened Horncastle post office staff with a large kitchen knife and before he stole £1,000 at around 14:30 GMT on 22 July 2024.

Johnson, of Tennyson Gardens, Horncastle, pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed article and was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison at Lincoln Crown Court on Thursday.

He was given an additional 12 months for two offences of assault by beating and concurrent sentences for criminal damage, dangerous driving, assault by beating of an emergency worker and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

After committing the robbery, Johnson fled the scene on a push bike and was later identified through CCTV enquiries, Lincolnshire Police said.

Det Con Andy Taylor said: "The events that unfolded on the afternoon of 22 July were truly harrowing for both the staff and customers whose sense of security was shattered by the presence of an armed intruder wielding a large kitchen knife.

"I am sincerely grateful for the unwavering cooperation of witnesses and the invaluable CCTV evidence that guided our investigation."

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