A man who held up a Ramsgate post office at gunpoint - apologised after telling the frightened manager: "I am so sorry... I am really desperate."

Edward Richardson later revealed he needed the £70 to buy a Christmas present for his daughter.

But the blundering robber was nabbed because he held up Grange Road Post Office where he was a regular customer.

And then the unmasked raider dumped the weapon in a nearby wheelie bin with the initials ER engraved on the gun butt.

Richardson, 42, of Southwood Road, Ramsgate, was jailed for three-and-a-half years after admitting robbery and possessing a firearm.

Donna East, prosecuting, told Canterbury Crown Court Richardson had walked into the post office 12 days before Christmas Day last year.

Manager Ajay Patel turned around and saw Richardson - who he recognised - holding a gun he believed was capable of being fired.

"He recognised him as a regular customer and as he came in through the doorway, Mr Patel said:' What are you doing?'

"Richardson mumbled something and then said: 'I am really desperate. Give me all the money'", she added.

The robber was jabbing the gun towards the frightened manager, saying: "I am really desperate. I am sorry" before taking £70 in £10 and £5 notes from the till.

The terrified manager asked Richardson: "How long have I known you? How long have you been coming into my shop?"

"he was short of money in the lead-up to christmas and he didn't have the funds to buy his daughter a present…” – nicholas jones, defending

Again the robber apologised before snatching a packet of cigarettes from a shelf and disappearing out of the store.

It was only later Mr Patel revealed the robbery and the police were called. They arrested Richardson, who still had some of the stolen cash in his pockets.

Police later took the weapon - which was an air rifle with its barrel shortened - away for examination.

Nicholas Jones, defending, said: "This was an act of desperation. He was short of money in the lead-up to Christmas and he didn't have the funds to buy his daughter a present.

"In an intoxicated state he went out an committed this serious offence. He went into a post office where he was well known, without any mask, and with an air rifle that was empty - and with his initials engraved on the butt."

The judge, Recorder Peter Morgan, told him: "Shops of this kind are vulnerable and easy targets. Shopkeepers must be protected by the courts. You pointed the weapon at him and it must have been terrifying for Mr Patel."