A MAN has been jailed for almost five years for his role in a terrifying knife-brandishing raid on a Bradford Post Office.

John Walker was one of a masked gang that jumped over the counter to snatch £2,500 and a laptop computer from Barkerend Post Office shortly after opening time on March 21.

Walker, who wore a distinctive red Spider-Man mask, followed an accomplice who was wielding a large knife through a gap in the security screen to terrorise the 19-year-old woman staff member on duty.

Walker, 25, of Hendford Drive, Barkerend, Bradford, pleaded guilty to robbery and was imprisoned for four years and ten months at Bradford Crown Court today.

Prosecutor Alisha Kaye said the teenager in charge of the Post Office, in Barkerend Road, had just put money in the till and opened up for the day when the three masked robbers burst in.

She backed away but the leader, brandishing a large knife, climbed behind the counter, followed by the other two.

The woman shouted: “Take the money. It’s all I’ve got,” Miss Kaye told the court.

The robbers emptied the till and snatched the manger’s laptop computer from under the counter.

CCTV footage of the raid was played in the courtroom during the sentencing hearing.

The court heard that the police went to Walker’s address on an unrelated matter and saw the rucksack and shoes he was caught on camera wearing during the robbery.

The Spider-Man mask was retrieved from his mother’s home.

Walker made no comment in his police interview but admitted the offence during his first appearance at the crown court.

He had previous convictions for wounding, robbery, false imprisonment and possession of an offensive weapon.

In her victim personal statement, the Post Office worker said she had been extremely frightened and worried that the robbers would hurt her.

She was “completely upset” and considered not returning to her job.

Walker’s solicitor advocate, Ashok Khullar, said he was genuinely remorseful.

He was addicted to Class A drugs at the time and had spent the rent money on fuelling his habit. His life was spiralling out of control and he felt he had let down his partner and his mother.

He committed the robbery in a Spider-Man mask and carrying a distinctive rucksack.

Since being held in custody on remand, Walker had focused on the wrong and the harm he had done.

He was off illegal drugs and anxious to seek treatment to end his addiction.

Mr Khullar said Walker was capable of rehabilitation once he had served the inevitable custodial sentence.

Judge David Hatton QC said all three robbers were masked and one was wielding a large knife.

Walker was on a community order at the time and had relevant previous convictions for violence, robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

The crime had left the young woman in charge of the Post office “in a state of terror.”