Moment brave post office worker fights off hammer-wielding robber who raided her store forcing him to flee the scene as he is jailed for 32 months

This is the moment a brave post office worker fights off an armed robber as he attempts to raids her store.

The woman had been working behind the counter at Lemington Post Office in Newcastle when Michael Gibson, 39, from Cowgate, brandished a hammer at her and demanded money. 

Newcastle Crown Court heard the assistant, who initially thought the demand was a 'joke', pushed and kicked out the 39-year-old until he retreated empty handed on October 20 last year. 

The post office worker fights off Michael Gibson, 39, as he demands money at Lemington Post Office in Newcastle

The armed raider attempts to get behind the counter but the post officer worker and her colleague stop him 

Gibson, from Cowgate, Newcastle, admitted attempted robbery and was sentenced to 32 months behind bars

During the clip, Gibson is seen trying to approach the assistant behind the counter as she and her colleague try to hold him back.

They eventually push him away from the counter and he flees the store.    

The court heard a group of teenagers who were in the shop at the time 'scattered' when they realised what was going on. 

Gibson, from Cowgate, Newcastle, admitted attempted robbery. 

Miss Recorder Taryn Turner sentenced him to 32 months behind bars and said it was a 'very wicked and very frightening incident'.  

The judge said: 'One of the two people behind the counter initially thought it was a joke and tried to laugh it off, laughing at you, whereupon you said ''I'm serious'' before making your way around to the staff side of the counter, wielding that hammer.

'Very bravely she resisted your attempts, pushing you away, effectively kicking you out of the shop to prevent you from stealing any money.

'She is indeed a very brave and courageous lady.'

The worker, who was described as a 'courageous lady' by the judge, resists Gibson's attempts and pushes him away

Gibson, who had made multiple threats to attack those at the scene, then flees the shop

The court heard the worker describe the incident as 'very frightening indeed'.

Mark Harrison, defending, said the raid was 'over quickly' and the only violence was 'against him rather than by him'.

Mr Harrison said Gibson put up 'little resistance' and added: 'He was very quickly overpowered, he offered almost no resistance. He was chased, essentially, out of the shop.

'He achieved absolutely nothing by his misbehaviour that day.'

Mr Harrison said Gibson and '50 per cent of his wing' at the prison has succumbed to the coronavirus and are locked down in their cells.   

Detective Constable Gareth Welsh, of Northumbria Police, said: 'This is a brazen attempt to rob a Post Office and it must have been terrifying for both staff and customers.

'Gibson has brandished a hammer and was making multiple threats to attack those in attendance so he could get his hands on the till.

'But instead of backing down, these two women stood up to him, pushed him away and refused to let him get away with any money.

'I have nothing but praise and admiration for the bravery they showed that day and ultimately they have helped us put an armed robber behind bars.'