TWO armed robbers who raided Downton Post Office in March were jailed for ten and eight years at Salisbury Crown Court today.

Dwayne Gilling, 32, from Trowbridge, was found guilty of robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.

He was sentenced to ten years imprisonment.

Raymond George Laurence, 33 from Westleigh, Warminster, pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of an imitation firearm at an earlier hearing.

He was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment.

The court heard that one of the men, wearing a scarf over his face, forced his way into the post office and threatened sub postmistress Julie Telfer at around 8am on March 1, 2014.

He was brandishing an item in a plastic bag which the victim believed was a gun.

He grabbed the terrified victim, took more than £4,000 in cash and ran out of the post office to his accomplice who was waiting in a blue BMW.

The car was later found abandoned in Salisbury City Centre.

Visibly relieved, Mrs Telfer said the ordeal had been the most terrifying of her life.

“I’m very pleased with the outcome,” she said.

“I would like to thank Wiltshire Police for what they have done.

“I didn’t have to go to the trial but I wanted to come here today to get some closure.”

Mrs Telfer’s daughter Hayley said she too was extremely pleased with the result.

“I’m just glad my mum can have closure,” she said.

“It’s been awful these last couple of months and Wiltshire Police have just been a great help.”

Detective Constable Jem Horner, who ran the investigation, said: “I am pleased with the sentence which reflects the seriousness of this crime.

“Mrs Telfer was put through a terrifying ordeal that no-one should have to experience.

“She genuinely felt for her own safety and believed the suspect had a firearm.

“I would personally like to thank members of the local community for coming forward.

“There were many sightings that morning of a blue BMW in suspicious circumstances and from this information we were able to piece together its movements and trace the user which was a vital part of the investigation."

The Judge commended DC Jem Horner and said he would be writing to the Chief Constable as he was so impressed by the officer’s investigation.

More details and video to follow.