Post office thug faces jail term

12:42pm Thursday 29th May 2008

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By Melanie Adams »

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A HOODED thug whose brutal attack on a Hampshire postmistress with a brick and metal pipe was caught on camera is today facing jail.

Admire Masaiti admitted assault with intent to rob at Winchester Crown Court yesterday.

The 18-year-old left Sparsholt postmistress Linda Scorey bleeding from the head after she refused to hand over cash during the daylight raid.

The attempted robbery sparked a massive police hunt for Masaiti, who was eventually arrested following the release of shocking footage from the store's CCTV cameras.

The video showed how Masaiti first walked into the quiet village post office with his hood up and left about seven minutes before the attack.

He then returned and was seen talking to Mrs Scorey before suddenly throwing a brick at her face when she refused to agree to his demands and hand over the shop's takings.

Mrs Scorey tried to take shelter in the glass-partitioned post office part of the shop but the 18-year-old ducked under the counter, picked up the brick and hurled it through the window.

Watch the CCTV footage here

Witnesses then watched in horror as Masaiti, who had previously pleaded not guilty, dragged out his terrified victim as she struggled to wrestle free.

As the fighting continued Mrs Scorey, who had triggered the store's alarm, pulled the raider's hood back from his face, allowing the cameras to get a good view of him before he began hitting her on the head with a lead pipe.

The courageous postmistress tried to hold Masaiti until the police arrived, but after a rain of blows to her head with the pipe, he managed to flee. Masaiti, of no fixed abode, was told by Recorder Mr Duncan Adam that he faced jail when he returned to court for sentencing on June 27 - precisely a year after the attack.

Mr Adam said: "In the light of the plea I have decided that there will be a pre-sentence report about you so the court that sentences you will be fully informed of all your circumstances.

"You have pleaded guilty to a serious offence. You are in custody and will remain in custody. You are facing a custodial sentence."

This was the second time Mrs Scorey had been attacked in the shop, having been punched in the face by a gun-wielding attacker in December 2000.

Last month Mrs Scorey - whose bravery was recognised by police - and Stella Neaves, who have owned and run the store for 14 years, announced that they were selling up.