A Shropshire postman who shot dead a Royal Mail investigator and tried to murder two others a decade ago has had his jail term cut.James Robinson, of Oak Drive, Ellesmere, fired eight shots at close range when post office officials investigating missing mail arrived at his home.

Andrew Gardner, 36, of Irby, Wirral, died in the hail of bullets in July 1998, while another colleague was seriously injured. A third narrowly escaped being hit.

Robinson, then 28, was jailed for life at Wolverhampton Crown Court in July 1999 after admitting Mr Gardner’s murder.

He also admitted the attempted murder of Pat Tranter, of Blacon, Chester, who was hit by four shots and Neil Roberts, formerly of Shrewsbury, who escaped injury when a bullet hit a piece of furniture.

Robinson was told by the then Home Secretary Jack Straw he must serve a minimum of 20 years, before he could seek parole. But yesterday, after reviewing the case at London’s Royal Courts of Justice, Mrs Justice Rafferty reduced the minimum jail tariff to 18 years. Taking into account time on remand, Robinson can seek parole in 2016.

Mrs Justice Rafferty said Robinson had admitted non-delivery of mail and, when investigators searched his home, they found more missing letters. When Robinson was told the police would be informed, he opened fire.

Ruling on the case Mrs Justice Rafferty said there was an absence of premeditation and the shootings had occurred on the spur of the moment.

By Sue Austin