ARMED robber Dean Tibble is today beginning a five-year jail sentence after holding up Fore Street post office.The prolific crook, who has 101 previous convictions, also admitted further offences of burglary, theft and assault, committed between January and July this year.

ARMED robber Dean Tibble is today beginning a five-year jail sentence after holding up Fore Street post office.

The prolific crook, who has 101 previous convictions, also admitted further offences of burglary, theft and assault, committed between January and July this year.

Sentencing the 37-year-old, of Rosebery Road, Ipswich, Judge John Devaux said jail was his only option but admitted it is likely he will only serve two-thirds of his term.

Tibble then thanked the judge before being led to the cells.

It was at around 12.45pm on July 9 that Tibble bundled his way into the Fore Street Post Office and pointed an air pistol at a 73-year-old cashier.

Wearing a hat and scarf, he demanded money from Eileen Brookes and shouted, "give me the money", before making threats to shoot her.

But Mrs Brookes was in defiant mood and refused, saying "you must be joking" and told him "not to be so stupid".

Tibble continued his demands, warning how "powerful" his "gun" was, but the cashier stood firm. It was then he spotted a 19-year-old woman crouching near a card display and turned the weapon on her.

He said to the cashier: "If you don't give me the money, I'll shoot her."

Realising he was not getting anywhere with his demands, Tibble grabbed the customer's handbag before fleeing. It contained just £60 in cash and a few bankcards.

The defendant made his get-away in a car but was spotted by a passer-by, who gave registration details to the police.

The vehicle was later stopped on the A12 near Colchester after a search by the police helicopter and ground units.

The defendant admitted offences of robbery, attempted robbery and possessing a firearm when committing the offences.

During the same hearing, Tibble was also sentenced for burglary after smashing his way into an unoccupied Akenham home and stealing more £2,000 of jewellery.

The court was told Tibble had no recollection of the crime, which happened on January 8, but he was traced through a DNA sample he left after cutting himself while entering the property.

He also admitted stealing a £1,000 item of building equipment from an Ipswich building site, on March 28.

A further offence of assault causing actual bodily harm was also admitted by Tibble, after he punched a man at his Jefferies Road home, in Ipswich in an argument over a benefit book.

He also smashed a cup over his head, leaving the victim requiring hospital treatment following the incident, on June 26.

Judge Devaux was also asked to take into consideration an assault on a security guard during a preliminary hearing at magistrates in Ipswich on July 11. Tibble was said to have "feigned a fit", barging his shoulder into the security in the process.