Jail term for knife holdups

A TOWNSVILLE man who committed three armed robberies in two days during a weekend crime spree has been jailed for five years.

Matthew Edward Thomas Davidson, 19, robbed a Hermit Park service station and a Cranbrook service station at knifepoint on September 13 last year. The next day he robbed a bottle shop in Railway Estate, threatening the attendant with a knife.

Davidson was sentenced in Townsville District Court yesterday for three counts of armed robbery.

Crown Prosecutor Amanda Payne said a victim impact statement by the Hermit Park service station attendant said the robbery left him so traumatised he was forced to quit his job and return to India.

“The knife was held close to his throat,” Ms Payne said. “He was in shock and panicking.

“He had one week off work and then resigned because he was too afraid.”

Co- accused Kaleb John Ryan, 18, was also sentenced yesterday to three years in prison for his part in the robbery of the bottle shop.

Ryan stole bottles of Jim Beam while Davidson was threatening the attendant.

He will be released on parole on September 8 after serving 287 days in pre- sentence custody.

Defence lawyer Greg Lynham said Davidson was on methylamphetamine at the time of the robberies.

Judge Clive Wall QC said the robberies had caused significant distress to the victims.

Davidson will be eligible for parole on May 8 next year after serving 298 days in presentence custody.