A MAN previously jailed for an attempted post office robbery was found in possession of a knife in a bank in the village, a court heard.

Daniel Robinson received a 32-month prison sentence in March 2015, for the failed robbery bid at a village store which doubles as a post office, not far from his family home in Murton, County Durham.

Durham Crown Court heard the desperate heroin addict carried a kitchen knife, but was foiled by the brave co-owners, who pushed an advertising board and an empty crate at him.

He fled, empty-handed but, despite his attempts to conceal his face, the store owners recognised him as a regular customer and he was soon arrested.

Robinson, now aged 33, was back before the same court following his recent arrest at the TSB Bank, in Murton, where police were present on an unrelated matter.

Louise Harrison, prosecuting, said Robinson, who had been in the premises for about ten minutes, was searched and a lock knife was found in his trouser pocket.

When asked about the knife, he told police it did not belong to him and claimed to have found it on some grass on his way to the bank, and so put it into his pocket.

Miss Harrison said that police viewed CCTV footage from the premises showing Robinson at the bank, sometimes putting his hand in his pocket, but never removing the knife.

He was, therefore, charged with possessing a knife in public, which he admitted at his first magistrates’ court appearance in the case, earlier this month.

Due to his significant previous conviction, which featured him possessing a knife, the case was sent to the crown court for sentence.

As a second offence involving knife carrying, Robinson, of Toft Crescent, Murton, stood to receive a mandatory six-month sentence.

But, Neil Bennett, for Robinson, said he was recalled to prison after his arrest at the bank to serve the outstanding part of his previous sentence and is not due to be released until October.

Mr Bennett said Robinson was in the bank trying to withdraw the last £10 from his account, but had to produce his passport as he did not have a cash card.

Judge Deborah Sherwin said she had “concerns” about the fact he was carrying the knife, but accepted it was never produced or brandished during the incident.

She imposed the mandatory six-month sentence, less 20-per cent for Robinson’s guilty plea, resulting in a 150-day prison sentence.