A former Fife sub-postmistress has spoken for the first time about the terrifying moment she was held at knifepoint in a robbery.
Maria Nawaz, 36, revealed she had previously told Post Office bosses she felt unsafe working alone at the counter in Burntisland High Street.
She had been offered the chance to move her business to the Day-Today Express grocery store across the road where, as well as avoiding lone working, she would have had fewer overhead costs.
But she said the Post Office would not support the move and on her first day back at work after New Year she was caught up the terrifying armed robbery.
“I don’t feel I could work behind a counter again now,” she said.
“I was a confident girl before this happened.”
The Burntisland shop was one of three targeted in Fife during a spate of raids on January 9.
Two men were later arrested in connection with the robbery as well as incidents in Cowdenbeath, Kincardine and Linlithgow.
They have also been charged in connection with offences at post offices in Larkhall on December 23, Glenboig on January 6 and Clarkston on January 7.
Mrs Nawaz said her nine-year-old daughter had complained of feeling unwell on the day her post office was targeted but she convinced her to go to school instead of taking her to work.
“It’s the best thing I could have done,” she added.
Having moved from Manchester to take the job at Burntisland Post Office, Mrs Nawaz said she has “lost everything” because bosses did not invest in the premises, which are now closed indefinitely.
She said she was given a budget of £34,000, which disappeared fast once she paid for bills and staff wages.
And she eventually had to let go of staff, leaving her running the post office by herself.
“I said to staff members unfortunately you guys can’t carry on because I can’t pay you.”
She added that local people had rallied round to help her since her ordeal in January.
“The Burntisland people have been supportive. They’ve really helped me.
“They set up a Facebook charity page for me.
“I really appreciate what the Burntisland people have done and I feel sorry for those who have to travel because their post office is closed.”
