A MAN has been warned to expect a “significant custodial sentence” after attempting to rob a Post Office with an axe and a fake gun.

Shaun Collier was wrestled to the ground by the shopkeepers, both aged in their 60s, before others helped detain him until police arrived.

On Friday Collier appeared at Ipswich Crown Court via video link from Norwich Prison.

The unemployed 32-year-old, of Lugar Close, Colchester, admitted one count of attempted robbery after trying to grab cash from the till.

He admitted one count of possession of an imitation firearm, a plastic gun which was disguised in a bag, and possession of an offensive weapon, an axe, in Shrub End Road.

The incident took place at Shrub End Post Office at 8.45am on Monday, November 7.

Postmaster Sailish Patel, 61, was on his own when Collier came in.

Mr Patel said: “He wanted some cigarettes so I came out from the counter.

“When I got to him, he said ‘I have got a gun and an axe, give me the money’.

“He pushed me and I fell down.” 

Denise Holland, prosecuting during a previous hearing at Colchester Magistrates’ Court, told the court Collier had said ‘ I have an axe in my bag, I want all the money’ and ‘this is a real gun’ before trying to take the axe out.

Collier had a gun shaped item protruding from a plastic bag.

He then pushed the, what turned out to be plastic, gun into the face of Mr Patel and shoved him over.

Mr Patel tried to grapple with Collier when his wife Bina, 60, came running in.

She said: “I pulled him by the hood to try to get him outside.

“I did hit him on the head a few times and he tried to run.”

Mrs Patel refused to let go of him.

Once Mr Patel had got back up the three of them struggled.

The couple bravely tried to keep hold of Collier but he eventually wriggled free and got to the front door.

Mr Patel said: “He was so strong.”

But the couple refused to give up, despite the weapons in Collier’s possession.

They grabbed him again on the street and tried to pin him to the floor.

A neighbour and a passing driver stopped to help and a passer by called the police.

Collier failed to get any money and denied one count of robbery instead admitting attempted robbery.

At the time of the crime Collier was subject to an eight month suspended sentence for burglary and theft.

He will be sentenced again for those offences and admitted breaching the terms of his suspended sentence when he appeared at court on Friday.

He has also been charged with another offence not yet before the courts.

Judge David Goodin told Collier: “You are in a position to be sentenced for this offence for what may well be a significant custodial sentence but I recognise you have another matter coming here.”

Judge Goodin decided it was “overwhelmingly likely” the sentence for an attempted robbery and an armed robbery where nothing was taken would not vary significantly.

Collier will next appear at Ipswich Crown Court on March 7.

Mr Patel was treated by paramedics following the struggle but fortunately escaped with only minor injuries.