A man who was arrested and accused of robbing a post office before all charges were dropped has said the experience destroyed his life.

Simon Gill said he had nothing to do with the robbery by two men of the post office in Lower Horsebridge, near Hailsham, on May 24 and he should never have been charged.

Five months ago the 39-year-old was arrested at his home in Bourne Street, Eastbourne, by armed police.

Prosecutors dropped the charges on October 6 after his mobile phone records were analysed.

Personal trainer Mr Gill, who was put on court bail, said: “It has destroyed my life.

“It cost me my job and I had to stick to a strict curfew and sign in at the police station every day.

It has also been in all the papers.

“I have not been able to go and see my children who live in Liverpool. Going to court regularly is also not cheap.”

Christopher Bullen, 27, of Malthouse Way, Hellingly, was arrested at the same time as Mr Gill and has now pleaded guilty to robbing the post office, having a bladed article, and possession of cannabis.

Mr Gill said he had never been to the post office, some 11 miles from his house and was not picked out in a line-up.

He said police did not appear to pay attention to a receipt at his house showing cigarettes that were bought at a local shop on the morning of the robbery.

He added: “The description people gave was of local lads and over six foot. I am short and I speak with a Liverpool accent.”

A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) spokesman said the body regularly reviewed cases.

He said that after new information was received about Mr Gill’s phone records the CPS carefully considered its case and took the decision not to proceed.

A police spokesman confirmed charges had been dropped but did not directly respond to specific comments by Mr Gill about the evidence.

He added there was “currently no evidence or information on which to base any further investigation” over the robbery.