Robber targeted own dad's post office

A MASKED raider staged a £20,000 robbery at his dad's post office in a small community where he was easily recognised.

George Thomson and his cousin Roche Thomson ambushed a Royal Mail delivery of cash to the shop in Tranent.

But although the robbery was described in court yesterday as "incompetent" and "almost comic" security man Stephen McCondochie, 45, was badly shaken when threatened with a chisel. And the raisers' haul of Sterling and Euro notes has not been traced. "I hope the money is still there when I get out," Roche Thomson, 20, told police after his arrest.

Advocate depute Simon Collins, prosecuting, told the High Court in Edinburgh that the post office in Tranent's High Street was owned by George Thomson's father.

"George Thomson became aware of when large amounts of money were being delivered, although there is no suggestion information was being deliberately passed on to the accused," said Mr Collins.

George Thomson, 24, hoped that Mr McCondochie would be bringing £80,000 with him last July 24, the court heard. The security man parked his van in the High Street about 9am where he was attacked.

"Roche, wearing a balaclava to mask his face, grabbed the cash case from behind," said Mr Collins. "Mr McCondochie turned round to see what was happening. Roche pulled a chisel from his pocket and brandished it at Mr McCondochie."

The security man ran to his van and pressed a panic button to alert police and the pair fled with the cash case. Police looked at video footage from a CCTV camera overlooking the area. Roche was arrested later that day when police stopped a Volkswagen and found him trying to hide in the back.

George Thomson was arrested in London five days later.

In court today George, of no fixed address – who is currently serving another prison sentence – and Roche of Wiltshire Gardens, London, admitted the robbery.

Judge Lord Brailsford called for background reports and remanded both robbers in custody, pending sentence next month.