Man jailed for attempted robbery armed with hammer at Scarborough Post Office

Hodson tried to hold up the South Cliff Post Office in March.

A would-be Post Office robber was left empty-handed after he was foiled by staff in Scarborough.

Kieran Hodson, 24, tried to hold up the South Cliff Post Office on Filey Road in March whilst wearing a mask and brandishing a hammer.

Police said he smashed a security screen and demanded staff fill a bag with cash which he threw at them.

However, Hodson fled empty-handed after staff refused and swore at him.

Police were called to the branch after the panic alarm was activated.

Hodson, from Scarborough, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and was jailed for two years at York Crown Court today.

Detective Constable Nick Burton said: “For reasons best known only to him, Hodson thought holding up a post office was a good idea.

“Obviously it wasn’t, especially due to the fact he had to leave empty handed after a brave employee told him where to go.

“While we never advise victims of crime to do anything that would put them in even more danger, it’s clear that this blunt and robust response prevented cash being stolen during the incident.

North Yorkshire Police said Hodson was identified and arrested following a public appeal for information.