A ROBBER who was part of a gang that beat up a postmistress before running off with £33,000 has been jailed.

Daniel Quinn, 23, was a member of a group that struck at Rishton Post Office as Saima Iqbal was cashing up, a court heard. Police said he went into the High Street store and attacked the worker, who was in her 30s, after making her open the parcel hatch.

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The victim was then subjected to a “violent assault” as she was pushed to the ground and kicked. The men then escaped by smashing a side window.

Two other men are believed to have been in the post office at the time. Inquiries are ongoing and two men in their 20s have been arrested and released on police bail.

At Burnley Crown Court, Quinn, of Holme Slack Lane, Preston, was sentenced to 56 months behind bars after pleading guilty to the robbery which happened shortly before 5.30pm on November 7.

After the hearing, DS Adrian McHugh said the attack was particularly nasty and had left the postmistress nervous to carry on with her work.

He said: “The postmistress was in the shop alone when Quinn went in and attempted to pass a large parcel to her. Ultimately, she opened the hatch and that is when he forced his way in and subjected her to a violent assault.

“The victim suffered bruising and grazing but the impact on her has been more mental, leaving her with uncertainty and nerves. This was a determined, fierce and violent attack.”

Cllr Ken Moss, who represents Rishton on Hyndburn Borough Council, said: “This is not something we are used to in Rishton so I am very glad the offender has been caught and punished.

“The main thing was the effect it had on Saima. She is very shaken up.”

DS McHugh said an investigation is ongoing to try to trace the money that was stolen.

Anybody with information should call 101, quoting log number 1004 of November 7, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.