Knife pulled on attendant

Drug addict apologises for theft

A MAN pulled a knife on a 72year- old woman in an icefuelled hold- up and stole $ 2825.

Caleb Robert Morrow, 29, pleaded guilty in Townsville District Court to a string of offences, including trafficking drugs, armed robbery, supplying drugs, possessing drugs and possessing drug utensils.

Judge Kiernan Dorney, QC, said Morrow robbed a Boundary St convenience store early in the afternoon of March 13 last year.

He was wearing a balaclava and held a kitchen knife to the elderly staffer.

“You jumped over the counter, yelled in an aggressive way,” he said.

The woman moved behind a stand to protect herself.

Morrow stole cash and put it in his pocket, leaving the plastic bags he had brought behind.

“There is no doubt that at the time, the complainant in that particular case was terrified for her life,” the judge said.

Morrow’s fingerprints were found on the bags and the robbery was caught on CCTV.

Defence barrister Scott Geeves said Morrow, a drug addict, was very affected by methylamphetamine at the time.

“If it wasn’t so serious, it would be regarded as somewhat comical. It was a highly unsophisticated affair and lasted less than a minute,” he said.

At the time of the robbery, Morrow was on bail for trafficking marijuana from January to August in 2014.

Judge Dorney said Morrow sold drugs from his home, hotels and pubs and had a “very significant turnover”, with more than 20 customers.

“It’s clear that there were some co- offenders who assisted you in the packaging and transportation,” the judge said.

“It is also clear that the inference the Crown draws is it was one of those co- offenders who brought the wholesale quantities of cannabis to the location.”

Morrow’s Toomulla Beach home was searched on August 24, 2014.

Police found 14 plastic drums in bushland that had been used to store marijuana and equipment.

Mr Geeves said Morrow, a father of two, had previously owned a concreting business.

He tendered a letter of apology to the robbery victim.

Judge Dorney said Morrow had spent 710 days in jail and made impressive efforts at rehabilitation while in custody.

“I accept that your life descended into utter chaos on the taking of drugs,” he said.

“But I accept that, from the conferences that you have had with your counsel, you have indicated a willingness to face what has happened and to turn your life around.”

Morrow was sentenced to seven years’ jail and released immediately on parole.