Robber’s jail time extended

A 19-YEAR-OLD man who robbed a Glenorchy hotel in September armed with a rifle has had his prison sentence increased to take into account associated crimes, including motor vehicle stealing and possessing a gun without a licence.

Jesse Lee Fletcher-Jones, of Risdon Vale, pleaded guilty to the September 25 armed robbery of the Elwick Hotel.

Supreme Court judge Shane Marshall also dealt with three other charges that would normally be dealt with in the Magistrates Court.

The court in Hobart heard Fletcher-Jones stole a Subaru Impreza station wagon during the evening of September 24. About 2.30am on September 25, he drove to a service station in Lindisfarne, filled a container with $29 worth of fuel, and drove off without paying.

Just before 3am, he drove the Impreza to the Elwick Hotel.

Acting Justice Marshall said two employees and three patrons were still in the hotel when Fletcher-Jones approached the gaming counter, pointed a gun at the duty manager’s face and demanded money.

As the manager started filling a calico bag with money, Fletcher-Jones started a countdown. He also fired a shot in the direction of the counter and told another staff member to “hurry up” with the money.

Fletcher-Jones left the hotel with the bag and about $2500.

In April, Acting Justice Marshall sentenced Fletcher-Jones to three years’ jail with a non-parole period of two years.

The Director of Public Prosections appealed against the sentence on the ground that it did not take into account the charges of motor vehicle stealing, making off without payment and possessing a gun without a licence.

The Court of Criminal Ap- peal, comprising Chief Justice Alan Blow, Justice Gregory Geason and Acting Justice Brian Martin, allowed the appeal, and, on July 4, imposed a sentence of 5½ years’ jail from September 25.

Fletcher-Jones will not be eligible for parole until he has served half of that sentence.

In his reasons for allowing the appeal, Acting Justice Martin said armed robbery was too prevalent in Tasmania and other Australian jurisdictions and this case was “a serious example of the crime”.

“To allow this sentence to stand would send the wrong message to those who are minded to commit crimes of armed robbery and the sentence would fail in its objective of protecting the public,” he said.

“Further, to allow the sentence to stand would undermine public confidence in the administration of criminal justice in an area of great concern to the community.”