A 30 year-old man has been jailed for four years after a knife-point robbery at a Post Office in Tilehurst.

Gavin Mackie, 30, appeared at Reading Crown Court on May 16, where he pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one count of possession of a bladed article.

The incident occurred on March 23 at approximately 4:45pm, where Mackie jumped over the counter at the School Road Post Office while holding a kitchen knife.

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A large quality of money was stolen after he forced a member of staff to open the till.

The offender was chased by the shop manager along Armour Road until he lost sight of Mackie.

The robbery was captured in full on CCTV and a fingerprint was found at the scene of the crime.

On 11 April, he was arrested at his home address and charged the same day after being positively identified by the staff member in an identity procedure.

Clothing that matched what the man was wearing on the CCTV footage was seized.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Phil Marchant, based at Reading police station, said: “I’m pleased for the victim that justice has been served as this was a terrifying ordeal for them while they were at work.

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“I would like to thank them for putting their trust in us to investigate this horrible crime which has resulted in the offender pleading guilty and being jailed due to the strength of our investigation.

“Tackling knife crime remains a priority for the force and we are committed to bringing those that use knives to commit crimes to justice.

“We will not tolerate such criminality within Reading and the wider Thames Valley.”