A MAN who held a postmaster at knife point during a raid at a Lancaster Post Office has been found guilty of robbery.

Ronald Grimes denied robbing several hundred pounds from Gerrard McMenimin after the counter had been vaulted at Newton Post Office on Langdale Place.

But yesterday (Wednesday) a jury at Preston Crown Court unanimously found the 26-year-old guilty.

Grimes, of Green Street, Lancaster, has been remanded in custody until Friday when he will appear for sentencing.

The jury was told that co-defendant Wayne Bland, 25, of Elterwater Place, Lancaster, had pleaded guilty to the robbery.

Lisa Roberts, prosecuting, said that, during the robbery, a large kitchen knife was wielded at Mr McMenimim who was also assaulted.

Bland was wearing a mask, while Grimes held the knife, she said.

Mr McMenimim had served a customer on December 5, 2003, and was in the rear of the post office when he heard a noise before he was then confronted by a man.

Miss Roberts said that while the duo threw cigarettes into a bag, Mr McMenimim decided to make a run for it.

But there was a struggle and Bland punched him before he managed to escape and raise the alarm.

A bag containing £500 in pound coins was taken along wiht £400 in notes.

However, Mr McMenimim was able to recognise Bland despite his mask.

Miss Roberts said a receipt from the bag containing the £500 was found at an address of a friend of Grimes, who had been helping him move.

The court was told that Grimes had confessed to his girlfriend, saying he had stolen £700 and that he had told a man at a football match he had done a blag' before asking him to provide a false alibi.

When arrested, Grimes denied knowing anything about the robbery, claiming he had been at a friend's house.

He denied confessing the robbery to his girlfriend.

In a defence statement he said he had been playing on amusement machines.