Bag snatcher stole gran’s cash

A NORTHERN Tasmanian man who stole a purse from a woman walking through a Launceston car park was motivated by a gambling problem and addiction to the drug ice, a court has heard.

Troy Anton Lovell was found guilty by a Supreme Court jury in Launceston of one count of robbery. He was sentenced on Thursday.

Justice Robert Pearce said Lovell, who was 33, snatched the purse containing $920 from a bag being carried by Sandra Gillam, 68, on December 18, 2016.

Justice Pearce said Mrs Gillam was walking through the car park next to the Grand Chancellor with her grandson.

Justice Pearce said Lovell was arrested later that day and told police where he discarded the purse, which was recovered without the cash.

Justice Pearce said Lovell told police he had gambled the money away.

In October, Lovell was sentenced by a magistrate to six months’ jail, half of which was suspended, for other offences of dishonesty.

“His offending was motivated not only by his gambling problem but also his heavy use of methylamphetamine,” Justice Pearce said.

He said Mrs Gillam did not suffer any physical injury but he accepted the robbery was “highly disturbing for her”.

Justice Pearce said the serious nature of the crime re- quired a jail sentence, but he said Lovell had taken steps towards rehabilitation since his release.

He sentenced Lovell to eight months’ imprisonment suspended for two years. Lovell was also ordered to perform 140 hours of community service, and will be subject to the supervision of a probation officer until November next year.

Lovell was ordered to pay a $50 victims of crime compensation levy and repay the $920.