Masked armed robber jailed after pointing gun at postmaster in Bedford

Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner candidate was victim of attempted raid
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A Kempston postmaster and an estate agent were confronted by a masked armed robber who was planning to lower himself into the shop to tie up staff and rob the safe.

The two men - one of which is Liberal Democrat Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner candidate Jas Parmer - disturbed Marek Jozwiak, 45, after he had broken into the unoccupied flat and had pulled up the floorboards to break-in through the ceiling.

Jozwiak, who had £48,000 debts, pointed the gun at the Mr Parmer before fleeing downstairs and out into the street as the postmaster gave chase.

Luton Crown Court (Google)Luton Crown Court (Google)
Luton Crown Court (Google)

On Monday, Jozwiak, of Foster Road, Kempston, was jailed for six years, having pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and having a firearm. The Pole now faces deportation.

Prosecutor Charles Ward-Jackson told Luton Crown Court that on September 10 last year the postmaster took the estate agent to see the flat, which he was hoping to rent out.

Mr Ward-Jackson said: “He was startled to see the defendant coming out of kitchen. He was wearing dark clothes and balaclava.

“He went back into the kitchen and reappeared with a revolver which he pointed at the postmaster and he left.”

Jas Parmer was subjected to a horrifying ordealJas Parmer was subjected to a horrifying ordeal
Jas Parmer was subjected to a horrifying ordeal

The prosecutor said Jozwiak had forced open a UPVC door and pulled up floorboards. He left behind tools, a rope and a hook. He said: “It looked as if he was planning to lower himself into the post office below.”

A silencer, cable ties to tie up staff and a second balaclava were also recovered. On the balaclava the police found a DNA match with Jozwiak.

Jozwiak was arrested at his home. The imitation gun, which could fire blanks and flares, was found in a plastic box under a sofa bed. More cable ties and a notebook were recovered. In it were messages that read: “If you do as I say you will be all right,” and “Where is the safe?”

In a victim statement, which he read to the court, the Mr Parmer said he had suffered a “traumatic experience” at the hands of someone he had known for several years. “It still scares me. Had I not gone to the flat I dread to think of the consequences to my wife and the female staff. The experience left us shaken and suspicious of people,” he said.

Marek JozwiakMarek Jozwiak
Marek Jozwiak

And he told Bedford Today: "He was planning to hold us up. I'm glad it was me who confronted him and not my wife or female staff."

Defending, Mark Nicholls said the project manager was a highly-educated man who had acted totally out of character.

Jailing him, Judge Andrew Bright QC said: “Your intention was to tie up members of staff having lowered yourself in and held them captive.

“It is was extremely alarming and upsetting for the postmaster. It is puzzling a man of your background chose this method to raise a fast buck.”