Prison sentence for armed robber who targeted a Post Office

A man who robbed the Post Office in Hersham using an imitation gun was sentenced to four years in prison when he appeared at Guilford Crown Court on Friday (9 December).

On the afternoon of 4 July, Luke Watson, 33, of Queens Road in Hersham, calmly walked into the Post Office on Molesey Road in a black balaclava and distinctive yellow jacket. After making a beeline for the cashier, he brandished a black imitation handgun and threatened to shoot him if he did not hand over all the cash in the till. The victim complied and Watson fled the scene with over £1,300 in cash.

Officers quickly arrived on the scene and launched an extensive investigation. As well as trawling through CCTV and obtaining descriptions from witnesses, it was officers conducting house to house enquiries who called at Watson’s address and noticed he was behaving suspiciously. Further enquiries were carried out and the team were able to successfully identify him as the suspect.

Watson was subsequently arrested on 6 July and three mobile phones, two sim cards, a small amount of cocaine and the distinctive jacket were recovered.

Watson pleaded guilty to robbery, possession of a class A drug and possession of an imitation firearm at an earlier hearing.

Investigating Officer DC Pritchard said: “This was an incredibly distressing incident for the victim and witnesses. Watson had no regard for the safety of others and used an imitation firearm to steal money that was not his to take. Everybody has the right to go about their day without the threat of violence and I am pleased that the sentence given to Watson reflects the seriousness of his crime.

“The team worked quickly to identify him as his perpetrator, and he was arrested within two days. The majority of the stolen cash was also recovered. We will always pursue those who commit crimes in Surrey and do everything we can to bring a successful conviction.”

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