A ROBBER who tied up shop staff while threatening them with a firearm has been jailed for life.
Daniel Arthur Brady, 28, was caught on CCTV raiding the post office in Bletchingley on New Year's Eve last year.
A man in his 30s and a woman in her 50s had their hands tied by Brady who was brandishing a weapon.
Money, lottery scratch cards and cigarettes were also stolen in the raid.
A gas-powered BB gun was found near the scene – Longhurst's in Bletchingley High Street – by police soon afterwards, which detectives believe was used in the offence.
Brady was arrested following appeals by this newspaper and an appearance on BBC One's Crimewatch in January after he was caught on camera committing the robbery.
At a previous hearing in May, Brady admitted two counts of robbery and one of attempted robbery – the other two offences relating to hold-ups in London.
On December 4, Brady of Ifield Road, Crawley, was sentenced to life imprisonment – with a minimum tariff of 3 years and 73 days – when he appeared at Croydon Crown Court.
He was also given a five-year sentence for possessing an imitation firearm, to be served concurrently.
After the case senior investigating officer Det Chief Insp Antony Archibald said: "Due to the excellent CCTV footage of the offender I was extremely hopeful the media would be able to assist us with our investigation into this frightening crime.
"Following the Crimewatch appeal we received information which directly led us to identify Brady, and arrested him for this offence.
"I believe by using both the local and national media to appeal for information it demonstrates our commitment to solving crimes in East Surrey and sends out a clear message to criminals that we will relentlessly pursue them.
"I would like to thank the press and all those who helped put this man behind bars for some time and hope the sentence passed will go some way to allow the victims to move on with their lives."
