A gun-wielding robber who raided the same post office twice in three years has escaped with just a four-year jail term.

Billy Williams, 22, struck at the St Mary’s Bay branch within 10 days of being released on licence for the earlier attack.

But the raider – who had been sentenced to SEVEN years for the 2010 robbery – had committed the £13,000 armed incident while on licence.

Victim Patricia Fagg was left so traumatised by the repeat attack that she could no longer face working in the post office, which has since closed down.

It is Williams' THIRD armed robbery before the age of 22 – yet he can now expect to be released into the community by 25.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how the career criminal, formerly of St Martin's Road, New Romney went into the post office wearing a balaclava and wielding a weapon.

He told the terrified victim she wouldn't be harmed if she did as she was told – before pocketing £10,500 in cash and another £2,000 in stamps.

"Williams is a very dangerous criminal with an appalling track record. This was a very nasty raid which was planned..." - DC Tom Wilson

Prosecutor Alex Rooke said another man was seen lurking nearby – and the two of them fled in a waiting getaway car driven by Harry Powell, 22.

Police were alerted and immediately raided a house in Greatstone, retrieving some of the stolen cash.

Mrs Fagg later revealed to officers how because of her experience at the hand of Williams she was left terrified.

Williams, who admitted robbery and possessing an imitation firearm, was given a four-year sentence and the judge added an extra three years on licence.

Mr Rooke told Canterbury Crown Court: "This may have been an amateurish robbery but there was a degree of planning involved."

After the raid, Williams went on a spending spree, slashing out on drugs and designer clothes – until he was arrested.

Detectives also found a stash of cannabis during the raid but Williams denied possessing drugs with intent to sell them and the charge was left on the file.

Mr Rooke said the robbery took place in February this year just 10 days after Williams was released from the seven-year sentence for the attack in 2010.

Getaway driver Powell, of Coast Road, Greatstone, was given a 20-month sentence after admitting robbery.

After the hearing DC Tom Wilson said: "Williams is a very dangerous criminal with an appalling track record.

"This was a very nasty raid which was planned and it was detected thanks in part for the vigilance of an eye-witness who noted the number of the getaway vehicle.

"The victim of this robbery was left so shocked by her experience that she could no longer face going to work."

DS Mat Scott added: "That Williams would target the same Post Office, and the same cashier, he had robbed three years earlier shows an incredible lack of remorse.

"Kent Police will not tolerate violence on our streets and I am glad both Williams and Powell were swiftly arrested and have been brought to justice."

Peter Marshall, for Williams, told the court: "It must have been terrifying for the victim but although violence was threatened no actual violence was used."