by Keith Hunt

An armed robber who terrified staff and customers at a betting shop and post office has been sentenced to seven years youth custody.

Billy Williams, 18, was locked up with 21-year-old Sean Edgar, who got three-and-a-half years for his part in one of the raids.

Williams, of St Martin's Road, New Romney, and Edgar, of Grassmere, St Mary's Bay, admitted robbing St Mary's Bay post office.

Williams also admitted robbing Jeff Mabey bookmakers in New Romney High Street, possessing a firearm intent and possessing a firearm when prohibited.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how Williams pointed a sawn-off shotgun at a bookie's son and made off with £2,820.

Edgar, who asked for 15 other offences to be considered, was the getaway driver on a motorcycle when a month later Williams carried out a similar raid at the sub-post office, stealing £8,278.

Anthony Prosser, prosecuting, said the bookmaker's son Leigh Mabey, 26, was behind the counter on the morning of June 18 when Williams burst in brandishing the shotgun.

Customers were ordered to lie on the floor.

One elderly punter had the gun pointed at him and was threatened: "Don't look up or I will use it."

Wearing a cap and with a scarf over his face, he pointed the gun at Mr Mabey and ordered him to put money in a rucksack.

The raid was captured on CCTV cameras and shown to Judge Andrew Patience QC.

The post office in Teelin Close, St Mary's Bay, was robbed on July 22 in the early afternoon.

Wearing a crash helmet, Williams went in holding a pistol and demanded from postmistress Patricia Fagg: "Where's the ------- money?"

He put his arm around the shoulder of elderly customer Roy Martin, aimed the gun at him and told Mrs Fagg: "If you don't give me the money I am going to shoot this man."

After running off with the cash, Williams and Edgar went to Maidstone and then to Hythe, where they stayed with a woman.

They were arrested there by armed police the next day.

Williams had given the woman a wad of cash to give to his mother. Another wad was found in a toy bucket.

Mr Prosser said just over £5,000 had been recovered from the robberies.