Oyster shucker held to pensioner’s throat

TWO pensioners were warned not to call the cops after an enforcer held an oyster shucker to one of their throats while trying to collect their son’s drug debt, a court has heard.

The couple in their 60s were threatened not to call authorities or more of them would return and burn their house down.

Steven Craig Meeuwssen, 33, appeared in Southport District Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to attempted robbery, robbery in company, and enter dwelling with intent.

The court heard Meeuwssen and another man went to the couple’s house on November 10, 2018 to enforce a $15,000 drug debt belonging to their son, who was jailed in NSW.

The pair, who were outside the house, made threats about what would happen to the couple’s son. But the pensioners said they didn’t have that money.

The associate demanded $1000 as Meeuwssen began singing “Brothers for Life” and telling the couple to google it, indicating it was a big Sydney gang, the court was told.

The woman ended up throwing $50 from her purse and a packet of cigarettes through the door, before the men left.

Five days later, Meeuwssen and two other men returned and demanded the money.

The court heard Meeuwssen went up to the man, pulled an oyster shucker from a bag, and put it to his neck.

The court was told the men warned the couple not to go to the police or more of them would return to burn the house down.

Meeuwssen was arrested two weeks later and spent three weeks in custody before being granted bail.

No other offenders were ever caught.

Judge Geraldine Dann said it was “very, very serious offending”.

“People in their 60s who are at home should be entitled to feel safe. This kind of conduct is terrible, it causes great fear, it causes great anxiety,” she said.

For the robbery he was given a four-year jail term, suspended after 21 days, taking into account time already served.

He was sentenced to three years’ jail with immediate parole for the remaining charges.

The court heard he had been addicted to drugs, which he used to manage pain. He has since been able to overcome the addiction, the court was told.

A report, read to the court, detailed that if he continued to stay away from drugs he was at a low risk of reoffending.

PEOPLE IN THEIR 60S WHO ARE AT HOME SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO FEEL SAFE. THIS KIND OF CONDUCT IS TERRIBLE, IT CAUSES GREAT FEAR

JUDGE GERALDINE DANN