AN ARMED robber, who fled empty-handed from a Perth post office after he was confronted by two women staff, was jailed for five years yesterday.

Michael McConnachie (33) targeted the premises for a robbery bid despite having known one of his victims for 28 years.

Unemployed McConnachie brandished at gun at Audrey Buchanan at the Garth Avenue Post Office and repeatedly told her to fill a carrier bag with money.

But he ran off after being confronted by Mrs Buchanan and shop owner Kathryn Benson during the abortive raid in August.

McConnachie, of no fixed abode, had denied attempted robbery but was earlier convicted of the offence by a jury.

Lord Mackay told him at the High Court in Edinburgh that he appreciated that he still maintained his innocence.

But the judge said, “I must impose sentence on the basis that you were properly convicted of having committed the offence.”

Lord Mackay said it was a serious crime which had been aggravated as McConnachie was out on bail at the time.

He ordered that McConnachie should serve a further six months for committing the robbery bid while on bail.

At the trial, Mrs Buchanan said she was 100% certain he was the perpetrator.

She said he had a wild look in his eyes and thought he was on drugs.

Defence counsel Ronnie Renucci said McConnachie had “a troubled past” and had been in care.

He had begun experimenting with drugs from an early age.

McConnachie was now on a methadone programme and had been drug-free for 21 months.

He added that McConnachie, who has 75 previous convictions, had mostly committed crimes to fuel his former drug habit.

The victims of the robbery yesterday spoke of their relief that the case was finally over and expressed pity for McConnachie.

“It was alarming at the time,” said Mrs Buchanan, who had a gun brandished at her during the raid.

“I have known him since he was a child, I hope they can do something for him, he needs help more than anything.”

Shop owner Ms Benson said, “It’s a relief that it is all over.”