A JUDGE this week applauded the immense courage of three Ilkley post office workers who tackled a would-be robber wielding a gun.

Sub-postmaster Ted Sample grabbed Sam Dunning's arm after the 21-year-old barged into the post office at Ilkley railway station at opening time on November 4 last year.

A Court heard how Mr Sample was able to disarm him and pinned him to the floor. His colleagues, Yvonne Kierman and Carol Sienkiewicz, then restrained Dunning on the ground until the police arrived.

On Tuesday, Dunning, of Skipton Road, Ilkley, was starting a four-year jail sentence.

He had pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court on January 24 to possession of an imitation gun with intent to commit robbery. Sentence had been adjourned for probation reports.

Prosecutor Helen Sanderson told Leeds Crown Court that Dunning barged into the post office at 9am brandishing a ball bearing gun. Mr Sample immediately seized his arm and they struggled together. Dunning's head then hit the wall and Mr Sample disarmed him and pinned him to the floor.

His female colleagues rushed to help and he was restrained until the police arrived. Officers seized the gun and a devil mask from Dunning.

Dunning's barrister, Robin Frieze, said it was a ham-fisted and unsophisticated attempt at robbery. He said Dunning had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and was of previous good character.

But Mr Frieze conceded that it must have been 'a terrifying experience' for the three staff members. He said they all showed considerable courage and one of the women had removed Dunning's shoes as they restrained him.

"It was a ball bearing gun and it was not loaded," Mr Frieze said.

He described the defendant as 'an isolated, emotionally immature and vulnerable young man' and said that although it was a serious offence it was not likely to be repeated.

Dunning had been held in custody and it had been the shock of his life for him.

Judge James Stewart QC said: "I think there would be public outrage if I was to pass a suspended sentence."

He told Dunning that he had little doubt that his abuse of cannabis over many years was a contributory factor to him committing the offence.

The judge praised the 'immense courage of the sub-postmaster and the two women who worked there'.

He quoted Mr Sample as saying afterwards: "I'm not having this," when the defendant burst into his post office.

The judge said that the sub-postmaster did not know that the gun wasn't loaded.

He added: "Those who rob sub-post offices with imitation or any other form of gun must expect long sentences."

He said that the weapon was clearly intended to intimidate and the courts must protect vulnerable people such as sub-postmasters.

After Dunning had been sentenced the judge praised Mr Sample and his staff for showing courage well beyond the call of duty.

"They have the admiration of the court for the courage and determination they showed," he said.

He awarded all three £100 each from public funds.

After the court case, the Ilkley Gazette spoke to brave Post Office worker Carol Sienkiewicz. She said she was satisfied to see him sent to prison.

Mrs Sienkiewicz, of Silsden, said: "Ideally I would like it to have been more than four years but I half expected it to have been less the way things are nowadays, so I am quite happy about it."

Asked what was going through her mind at the time of the attempted robbery she said: "I was absolutely terrified - it was awful, it really was."

"Ted was grappling with him when I came into the office. I rang the police and Ted had him pinned down and had taken the gun off him.

"Yvonne was lying across his legs but he was still thrashing about so I took my shoe off and sat on him as well."

Mrs Sienkiewicz had only worked at the Station Road Post Office since June but previously had worked at Silsden Post Office for eight years.

During that time it was raided but at a time when it was closed and no staff had been present.

Asked what she thought of the judge's award of £100 for her public spirited actions, she said: "It is amazing - it is brilliant. I shall treat myself to something nice but I don't know what yet."

She added: "I don't know if I would do the same thing again. If someone came and pointed a gun at me I probably wouldn't, but when someone needs help you just get stuck in."