Two robbers have been locked up after carrying out a “horrific and terrifying” raid on a post office.

Ryan Pryce was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday.

He was one of two masked raiders who stormed into Aldington Post Office in Roman Road on March 31 armed with a crowbar and an imitation firearm.

They were later spotted fleeing over fields by a horsewoman who chased after them.

Now Pryce, 25, from Rectory Road, St Mary in the Marsh, and a 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted robbery.

Judge Simon James told them: “You deliberately targeted a sub post office because, in your own words, you were told they were easy to do.

“The postmaster and his wife were both threatened, the security glass smashed and you were able to steal cash and stamps”.

The two had earlier pleaded guilty to robbery and possessing an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.

The court heard how the two had used a getaway car, which was easily traced by police.

The judge said the raid had “clearly been planned but there was also an abject lack of professionalism”.

He said it was Pryce, who was the instigator of the attack, supplying and brandishing the imitation firearm.

"The raid had clearly been planned but there was also an abject lack of professionalism..." - Judge Simon James

Prosecutor Jim Harvey said the two had fashioned masks out of clothing before going to the post office.

Initially they snatched £100 from a till before Pryce forced his way behind a counter.

As the teenager who had an iron bar kept the post office staff away, Pryce took more money and stamps before both fled in a car.

The 17-year-old received a two year Detention and Training Order after the judge heard he had spent “ a significant” period of time inside on remand.

Speaking after the hearing, postmaster Muttukumarasamy Skandakumar said the sentences given were “not enough”.

Both he and his wife Devika had suffered the terrifying ordeal of the armed bandits bursting into their business.

Mr Skandakumar said: “Four years is not enough. This was an armed robbery and my wife is still shaken.

“What guarantee is there that they won’t come back and do it again?

“The youth only got two years so he will still only be 19 when he gets out.”

Mr Skandakumar previously told of the couple’s terrifying ordeal after the robbers pleaded guilty in late April.

He said how the two masked men had burst in “shouting and yelling".

Mr Skandakumar was at the till but his wife was towards the back of the store and ran out to call for help.

The raid lasted no more than three or four minutes and robbers then escaped in a car.

But they were then seen on foot in a field at Burmarsh by pony rider Catherine Sugden who gave chase but lost them.

A huge manhunt, with a police helicopter, was launched and a week later both bandits were caught.

Since the attack the post office has had CCTV installed.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Chris Brett said: "The victims were put through a terrifying ordeal although thankfully this particular type of incident is not common.

"The initial enquiries made by Kent Police led us to the offenders and they are now behind bars.

"This incident happened in a rural location and we would like to thank members of the local community for assisting with the investigation."