A KNIFE-WIELDING robber raided a Post Office before hurling objects from a balcony during a stand-off with police.

Ashley Hill went to the Lower Bevendean Post Office in Leybourne Parade where he threatened staff with a blade.

The 29-year-old ordered a terrified shopkeeper not to press the panic button as he walked away with a can of beer and £60.

It followed an incident days earlier when Hill had refused to pay for Red Stripe beer and left his driving licence in lieu of payment.

But he returned to demand his licence back from manager Mehulkumar Raiyani.

Hill told Mr Raiyani: “If you don’t give me my licence back I will put you in the corner, rob you, and take whatever I want.”

Four days later, Hill brandished a knife at shopkeeper Vijay Siroya.

Police were then called, and swooped on his address in Taunton Road, Bevendean, where he bombarded them with missiles in a stand-off.

A chair from the balcony hit a car windscreen below, causing criminal damage.

At Lewes Crown Court, Hill, wearing an Adidas jacket, admitted robbery, criminal damage, and theft, and was jailed for four years.

Rachel Beckett, prosecuting, said the first incident with the driving licence happened on April 23 this year.

Hill made the threat to Mr Raiyani the next day, before returning to rob the Post Office on April 27, where he threatened to throw the knife at Mr Siroya.

He previously committed a non-armed robbery in 2012, and was jailed for two years.

Sarah Thorne, defending, said Hill was remorseful about committing the crimes.

She said he was “sailing close to the wind” to being classed as a “dangerous” criminal who should serve a longer sentence because of his risk to the public.

He is working towards a catering qualification, and wants to rid himself of alcohol and drug problems.

Ms Thorne said Hill had gone through a relationship breakdown, and almost wanted to get himself caught to go back to prison.

Judge Stephen Mooney said: “I have to consider whether you are dangerous as this is the second robbery.

“You produced a knife and threatened violence, but there was no lasting physical or psychological harm in this case.”

Hill, of St Catherines Terrace, Hove, was jailed for four years, reduced from six years after an early guilty plea.