A DRUG addict who tried to rob a sub post office armed with a 10-inch knife has avoided prison after telling the judge he intended to apologise to the scared shop assistant “face-to-face”.

Self-employed gardener Patrick Brown was desperate for cash to feed his £140-a-day crack cocaine habit, Oxford Crown Court heard.

So he went into Martin’s Newsagent in Balfour Road, Blackbird Leys, where he was a regular customer, and demanded money at knifepoint from shop assistant Joshua Khan-Piper.

Prosecuting, Hassan Baig said that as Brown got to the counter he said: “Just open the till and give me the money.” When Mr Khan-Piper refused he said: “You’re not losing any money, the Post Office is.”

“Mr Khan-Piper continued to refuse, but was obviously scared,” said Mr Baig.

The stand-off ended when another customer came in and called the police, and Brown was arrested.

Mr Baig told the court that Brown made full and frank admissions. The 33-year-old, of Comfrey Road, Blackbird Leys, admitted attempted robbery and possessing a knife.

Mizan Abdulrouf, defending, said his client had broken up with his partner of 14 years two months earlier. He added: “This pushed him over the edge. He started taking heroin, living rough on the streets, needing money and that caused him to go into the Post Office.”

Mr Abdulrouf stressed Brown was in the process of arranging to meet Mr Khan-Piper to apologise face-to-face. He added: “He is sorry and feeling remorseful of what he did.”

Appealing for a suspended sentence Mr Abdulrouf said Brown wanted to be a role model to his two daughters.

He added: “His relationship with his partner is restored. He wishes to restore his relationship with his daughters.”

Judge Ian Pringle warned Brown that armed robbery usually carried a prison sentence.

But he said that because Brown had taken steps to apologise and his partner was standing by him he could suspend the 20-month prison sentence for two years.

He added: “Two things have impressed me – firstly you want to apologise. Secondly, I also think it’s remarkable that your partner of 14 years has stood by you.”

Brown was also handed a 35-day rehabilitation requirement and told to attend a six-month drug rehabilitation programme.