ARMED robbery suspect Colin Douglas has appeared in court accused of a string of offences – including stealing £28,056 from a Weymouth post office.

The 25-year-old Weymouth man has been charged with the alleged robbery in Abbotsbury Road in March as well as the alleged robbery of taxi driver Derrick Thorner on Portland in the same month.

He is also charged with seven firearm offences, three car-related offences, three burglary charges, theft, arson and false imprisonment.

Douglas, who appeared at Dorchester Crown Court from custody, was escorted into the dock by a security guard and only spoke to say, ‘Yes ma’am’, when asked to confirm his name by the court clerk.

He remained standing throughout his appearance with a serious expression and was not given the opportunity to formally enter a plea.

Judge Roger Jarvis adjourned the case until June.

Douglas has been charged with robbing the employees of the post office in Abbotsbury Road of £28,056 on Wednesday, March 2, while in possession of a rifle at the time of the robbery.

He is charged with driving a Nissan Almera dangerously on Benville Road and using a firearm with intent to resist arrest on that day.

Douglas is also charged with aggravated vehicle taking, while in possession of a firearm, in relation to a Saab 9-3 Convertible and driving it dangerously on Lynch Road and Lanehouse Rocks Road and causing damage to a Vauxhall Corsa.

He is also charged with driving a Vauxhall Vectra dangerously on a number of roads including Wey-mouth Way, Newstead Road, Dorch-ester Road and the A352 towards Broadmayne on March 4.

Douglas is charged with making use of an anschutz model 520 semi-auto-matic .22 rim-fire long rifle with intent to resist arrest on that night.

He is also facing two charges of possessing a firearm when prohibited bet-ween March 1 and March 5.

He is also charged with robbery, possession of a firearm and false imprisonment in connection with the taxi driver Derrick Thorner who was allegedly robbed on Portland in the early hours of March 25.

He is also charged with a dwelling burglary on Clearmount Road in Weymouth between February 19 and February 22 and stealing numerous items of clothing, footwear, jewellery, cheque and bank cards, a JVC camcorder, a camera, a USB portable disc drive and other items.

Douglas also faces a burglary charge in relation to Dorchester Waste Paper at the Casterbridge Trading Estate and setting light to and destroying the building.

He is also charged with the commercial burglary of Boots the Chemist on Portland Road in Weymouth and stealing a Toyota Hilux owned by Jeffrey Buckland.

Douglas was remanded in custody and will next appear on June 24.