Bizarre robbery attempt
A MAN was armed with only a butterknife and carrying a “goon sack” when he tried to rob a man in the middle of a Surfers Paradise street.
Tye-Allen Gycabi Eldridge approached his target while walking along The Esplanade about 9.45pm on February 5 last year.
Southport District Court was told the 24-year-old motioned at the other man while carrying the bag of cask wine and asked whether he had any money.
Crown prosecutor Joshua Morris said Eldridge ignored his victim’s denials and then demanded he hand over his phone, wallet, and headphones.
“(Eldridge) has produced a silver knife and pointed it at the complainant,” Mr Morris told the court.
“The complainant at this point was concerned for his safety and thought he might be stabbed if he didn’t hand over the property.”
Mr Morris said the victim managed to escape on foot with his belongings.
Eldridge was identified via CCTV and taken into custody. The court was told Eldridge had faced court numerous times in the past, including a serious assault on a person aged over 60 in 2019.
Defence barrister Nick McGhee submitted to the court a psychologist’s report, which he said helped illustrate his client’s long history of mental illness and substance abuse.
He said both issues – which included daily marijuana use since age 14 – contributed to Eldridge’s bizarre, alcohol-fuelled robbery attempt.
“My client instructs he was in possession of a butterknife, as opposed to any kind of knife that has a level of dangerousness or risk more than a butterknife,” Mr McGhee said.
“He has high levels of remorse and regret for his offending. He wants to, I’m instructed, continue rehabilitating and abstaining from illicit substances.”
Eldridge pleaded guilty to one count of attempted armed robbery. He was sentenced to 18 months’ jail with immediate release on parole.