Unpaid pies spark frenzy
A DISPUTE over two unpaid pies led to a violent armed holdup in Newtown.
Jordan Godfrey was drunk and had a 10cm kitchen knife up his sleeve when he walked into the 7-Eleven store on Latrobe Tce on July 16, 2016.
Although he had not planned to rob the store, Godfrey launched into a fit of rage and demanded cash from a store attendant after being accused of not paying for two pies earlier in the day.
The 23-year-old pleaded guilty in Geelong County Court yesterday to attempted armed robbery.
He also pleaded guilty to separate charges of aggravated burglary with intent to damage property and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
The court heard Godfrey had been taken to Geelong hospital shortly before the 7Eleven incident after he was found lying in bushes.
Later that night, about 8.30pm, Godfrey entered the store and was asked to pay for the two pies.
He responded “Do you know what sort of day I’ve had?” before brandishing the knife and telling the employee “Open the till. I’m going to take all your money.”
As the worker called for help, Godfrey — then 21 — became enraged, smashing items in the store and flipping display shelves.
He remained in the store for up to six minutes before leav- ing for his home on Saffron St, where he was arrested.
Godfrey spent several weeks in custody before being bailed, but reoffended when he broke in and smashed up a home on Richmond Cres on November 11, 2016.
The former diesel mechanic arrived at the home shortly after 1am, demanding to see a woman known to him.
The woman was not there, and the two people sleeping inside the home refused to let the irate Godrey inside.
He could be heard saying, “If you don’t let me in, I’m going to burn the house down,” before eventually smashing through the front door.
Godfrey fled soon after when he was told police were on their way.
No one was in court to support him during his plea hearing yesterday.
Godfrey’s lawyer said his client had significant mental health issues and was using ice at the time of the offending.
He has already spent more than 11 months in custody and will return to court tomorrow for sentencing.