Swavesey Post Office Robber Jailed

12 August 2014, 09:24 | Updated: 12 August 2014, 09:30

A bungling robber who dropped hundreds of pounds as he tried to make a getaway on a push bike has been jailed.

Danny Biddle, 51, of Moat Way, Swavesey, dropped £535 in cash as he tried to get onto his bicycle after holding up the post office in Market Street, Swavesey, at 2.30pm on November 20.

He had walked in and threatened two members of staff, demanding they hand over money and making out he had a weapon concealed in his pocket.

Members of the public scooped up the dropped cash, but Biddle still escaped with £965.

Another member of the public also discovered his discarded hooded top nearby which linked him to the robbery.

He was arrested in Essex the following month and charged with robbery.

He denied the charge but was convicted following a trial last week and jailed for seven years at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday (August 6).
 
Detective Sergeant Mike Barnshaw said: "This must have been a terrifying experience for the counter staff who genuinely feared that Biddle had a weapon. He thought he could carry out a brazen robbery in broad daylight and get away with it.

"This case shows what a great community spirit there is in the village with people handing in the dropped money and also helping us to recover his discarded clothing.

"Together, the residents and police have ensured he was brought him to justice."