A COURT has heard how a brave Highams Park postmaster caught two armed robbers after chasing them from his shop.

Perminder Dhesi, or Bob as he is better known, who manages the Hale End Road post office in Chingford, was robbed at knifepoint in front of two terrified pensioners in the shop, Snarsebrook Crown Court heard.

As Mr Dhesi opened the parcel door of the counter to accept a package on May 23, one of the men dived through into the service area behind the security screen, punched the postmaster in the stomach and told his wife to "get down".

Mr Dhesi was punched in the face and forced to the floor as the other robber barred the door.

Leonard Sandford, 40, and Richard Williams, 37, deny robbing Mr Dhesi of £5,316 in cash and a quantity of postage stamps, foreign currency and travellers cheques.

Mr Dhesi told the jury: "I shouted to my wife in Punjabi get the police.

"I would have fought back more but he suddenly pulled a knife from his pocket, telling me get down, I'll kill you.

"Two OAPs were stuck in the shop and they were clutching each other and crying like children."

After failing to open the time-locked safe, the man took foreign currency and the contents of the desk draw.

Mr Dhesi added: "I had a plan that I would slam the hatch down on his legs and trap him as he went back through, but he was still holding the knife."

After the men left the shop, Mr Dhesi saw them climb into a white VW Passat. He then threw himself into the road, blocking traffic, before climbing into a car and ordering the driver and his startled wife to give chase.

Mr Dhesi said: "It's one of those things you see in the movies, but I didn't want them to get away.

"The driver was shocked, but once I said the post office had been robbed he agreed."

After the car finally stopped in Fulbourne Road, Walthamstow, he jumped out and hid behind a parked vehicle, watching one man go into a house with the cash as the other drove off.

Police arrived and the man, alleged to be Williams, was then chased through the gardens of Fulbourne Road and into Forest View Road where he was arrested.

Money from the raid was subsequently recovered and Sandford was arrested shortly afters.

Both men deny robbing Mr Dhesi.

The trial continues.