A youth who brandished a long bladed kitchen knife and demanded money from a postmaster and his assistant is starting a four year jail term.

Seventeen year-old Carl Glover of Darragh Way in Douglas fled when the postmaster at Pulrose post office, Phillip Clucas, tackled him with a broom handle.

A mask, Glover was wearing, had slipped.

Police found him shortly afterwards and he admitted the offence and produced the knife and the mask.

The court was told he had a previous similar conviction in 2006 at Farmhill Stores.

As he was sentenced at Douglas courthouse, Deemster Doyle said no-one had been injured but both staff members were put in extreme fear.