A MASKED man armed with a knife got more than he bargained for when he tried to hold up the Four Forks post office in Spaxton - the postmistress and her husband simply refused to co-operate with him.
On Wednesday, Shirley and Geoffrey Scriven were praised by a judge for their courage in dealing with would-be robber Andrew Lamb.
Lamb, disguised in a balaclava helmet and armed with a knife, walked into the village post office on July 20 last year and demanded cash.
But, although terrified, Mr and Mrs Scriven showed considerable bravery in refusing to hand over any money, Judge Stephen O'Malley said at Taunton Crown Court.
Lamb, aged 30, of Knightsbridge Way, Bridgwater, then lost his nerve and fled and later told police a "crazy" story that he had been kidnapped, he added.
Lamb, who admitted attempted robbery, was told the usual sentence would have been about five years' prison because "small shops and post offices readily receive the protection of the courts".
But the judge said the offence was out of character for and amounted to a cry for help.
He said Lamb had been suffering from increasing mental and psychological problems for many years and his difficulties were increased by a serious traffic accident.
This had led to post traumatic stress disorder which was confirmed by a psychiatrist long before the offence was committed.
Lamb was now living in a mental health unit under expert supervision and the judge said it was the type of case which should be treated with exceptional leniency.
Alan Large, defending, said Lamb knew he was doing wrong and "saw himself looking at another person committing this offence". A consultant psychologist had found his risk of re-offending was "extremely low".
Lamb was sentenced to two years' rehabilitation on condition he has psychiatric treatment.