A YOUNG shop assistant spoke of his relief today after being cleared of stealing £10,000 following an armed robbery at a Southampton post office.

Gurtheerith Pottiwal had been arrested with three other members of his family after a knifepoint raid at Bursledon Road Post Office, Sholing, in February.

The 21-year-old walked free from Southampton Magistrates' Court yesterday after no evidence was offered by the prosecution.

Delighted Mr Pottiwal, who is known as Tinks, said: "It is a big relief that it is all over. Now I just want to get on with my life.

"This has been a big cloud hanging over the whole family. Everyone has been through a lot of stress.

"Now the strain is over we can look forward to Christmas."

Mr Pottiwal, of Northbrook Road, Newtown, said he hoped to celebrate with a meal out with family and friends.

He said now the court proceedings had been dropped his family hoped to get on with happier things - like organising his forthcoming wedding.

Mr Pottiwal, who spent 24 hours in custody after being arrested, had to attend four court hearings before being told the charge was being dropped.

With the court case hanging over him, he was unable to work for the post office, although he continued with other duties in the adjoining shop.

His older brother, Bucksheesh Pottiwal, 23, also of Northbrook Road, had been jointly charged with theft but the matter was discontinued by city magistrates in September.

Their uncle, Balbir Pottiwal, 39, who owns the post office along with another in Highfield Lane, was also arrested as part of the police investigation, along with their cousin, Balkar Pottiwal, 26. Neither man was charged.

Matt Kemp, a family friend who has been acting as voluntary manager at Bursledon Road post office and Highfirs newsagent, said it had been a difficult time.

He told the Daily Echo: "I am extremely pleased that charges against my members of staff have been dropped.

"I have complete faith in my staff.

"Gurtheerith has been very brave to come back to work where it all happened. I am very proud of him and the way he has kept going."

At the time, the Daily Echo reported how a robber wearing a crash helmet had burst into the shop on February 27 and threatened postmaster Balbir Pottiwal with a knife.

The raider, who was with an accomplice wearing a baseball cap, was said to have pocketed an undisclosed quantity of cash from a delivery, which had just been made.

Post Office officials later confirmed all the money had been recovered.