The teenage thug who took part in an “horrific and terrifying” armed raid on Aldington Post Office can be named today as Donald Jupe.

The court hearing, in which his robbery partner Ryan Pryce was jailed for FOUR years, was reported on Kent Online earlier this week.

Because of a legal ruling, 17 year old Jupe, who has no fixed address but is believed to be from Scotland, couldn’t be named as the second of the hooded men who carried out the "shameful" attack.

But now a judge has lifted the anonymity ruling following an application by Kent Online's sister paper, the Kentish Express.

Jupe is serving a two year sentence in a detention and training centre for his part in the incident.

Judge Simon James said: “This was a very serious offence which would have had a very significant effect on the victims and the local community.

“The law requires me to balance the considerable public interest and the principle of open justice with the welfare of the defendant and the need for deterrents.

“It seems to me the balance comes down in favour of the principle of open justice and allowing the naming of Donald Jupeas the individual involved in this shameful, violent attack.”

Canterbury Crown Court had heard how Pryce and Jupe had stormed into the premises in Roman Road armed with a crowbar and an imitation firearm..

They were later spotted fleeing over fields by a horsewoman who chased after them.

“This was a very serious offence which would have had a very significant effect on the victims and the local community." - Judge James

Pryce, 25, from Rectory Road, St Mary in the Marsh, and Jupe later admitted robbery and possessing an imitation firearm to commit an indictable offence.

During the sentencing, Judge James told them: “You deliberately targeted a sub post office because, in your own words, you were told they were easy to do.

“The postmaster and his wife were both threatened, the security glass smashed and you were able to steal cash and stamps”.

Prosecutor Jim Harvey said the two had fashioned masks out of clothing before going to the post office.

Initially they snatched £100 from a till before Pryce forced his way behind a counter.

Jupe had an iron bar kept the post office staff away and Pryce took more money and stamps before both fled in a car.

Speaking after the hearing, postmaster Muttukumarasamy Skandakumar said the sentences given were “not enough”.

Both he and his wife Devika had suffered the terrifying ordeal of the armed bandits bursting into their business.

Mr Skandakumar said: “Four years is not enough. This was an armed robbery and my wife is still shaken.

“What guarantee is there that they won’t come back and do it again?"