Man jailed for robbing pub with a plank

A MAN has been jailed for stealing three bottles of alcohol after drunkenly threatening a bartender with a piece of wood at a Townsville pub.

Cyril Morris Billy pleaded guilty to armed robbery when he fronted Townsville District Court.

On September 17, 2017, after having an argument with his girlfriend, Billy entered the Riverside Tavern drunk about 8.45pm.

Armed with a plank of wood, the 29- year- old approached the bartender, demanding to know where the cash register was.

The bartender fled to a safe room and Billy made his way behind the counter, stealing bottles of rum, bourbon and whisky.

Judge Greg Lynham said Billy’s offending appeared not to be planned or premeditat- ed, noting he did not attempt to conceal his appearance.

“You were affected by alcohol at the time. Perhaps that gives an explanation as to why you would engage in this very foolish behaviour,” Judge Lynham told Billy.

“You yourself worked as a bartender at some point and you might ask yourself how you would have felt if some lunatic came in with a plank of wood … I suspect you would have found it terrifying, as no doubt the complainant here would have found it terrifying.”

Defence barrister Michael Hibble said Billy had been binge- drinking before the offence, but did not have an overwhelming issue with alcohol.

Mr Hibble said Billy was not violent during the robbery and no one was injured.

The court heard that Billy had completed Year 12 and was a gent man.

“He just needs to pull his head in,” Mr Hibble said.

“He binge- drinks … No one sober is to go into a pub and steal a couple of bottles of alcohol and spend the next five years in prison for three bottles of alcohol. That’s the harsh reality.”

Judge Lynham told the court he would take into consideration the eight months Billy had already spent in custody for the robbery, which was not officially declarable as he had outstanding matters.

The court heard Billy had a lengthy and troubling criminal history that included a conviction for armed robbery, which was also taken into account during sentencing.

Judge Lynham sentenced Billy to four years and four months in prison.

Billy will be eligible for parole on November 2, 2019. relatively intelli-