andrew mckerry , dubbed boomerang boy or pigeon boy in his youth , burst into shildon post office and stores , county durham , at 8 pm on march 15 .
the masked 31-year-old waved an axe as he demanded cash from terrified assistant andrea brighty , but he did not see owner sab dhillon 's rugby tackle which dropped him to the floor , sending shelves and produce tumbling .
he previously pleaded guilty at durham crown court to attempted robbery and court officials confirmed he had been jailed for six years after the hearing today .