WITNESSES who came forward after an armed robbery on a Lancaster post office have been commended for helping convict the pair.

Ronald Grimes and Wayne Bland, who raided Newton Post Office on Langdale Place, were jailed last Friday for a total of 13 years.

Welcoming the sentence, Lancaster CID's DS Paul Greenhalgh told the Citizen: "This was a particularly serious offence with the offender using a knife to commit the burglary and there could have been far more serious consequences.

"The case had a dramatic effect on the postmaster, the community and the witnesses.

"The result was due to hard work by Lancaster CID and the witnesses."

Grimes, 26, of Green Street, Lancaster, was wielding a large kitchen knife when he targeted the post office last December.

Although he denied the charge, he was convicted of robbery and jailed for six years. He also received 18 months for assault, occasioning actual bodily harm, another six months - to be served concurrently - for ABH, two months for assault by beating, and 18 months for indecent assault.

Bland, 25, of Elterwater Place, Lancaster, received three years and ten months after admitting his part in the robbery during which about £900 was taken.

Preston Crown Court heard that postmaster of 13 years Gerrard McMenimin felt he could not run the Post Office afterwards.

During his ordeal, Grimes ordered him to the floor and held the knife towards his throat as Mr McMenimin pleaded with him not to hurt him.

Lisa Roberts, prosecuting, said Grimes demanded money and Bland joined in.

Mr McMenimin struggled with Bland before fleeing and raising the alarm. The next day Bland turned himself in. The stolen money was never recovered.