Servo bandits cop sentences

Teens brandished knives in heist

TWO teenagers who stormed a service station in a late-night armed robbery brandished knives and threatened the attendant.

On March 5, the two 17year-old boys entered the Puma Rosslea on Bowen Road at 11.15pm.

Both covered their faces with shirts and waved knives at their three victims yelling “Get down this is robbery” and “Just give us the money”.

Crown prosecutor Siobhan Harrison played for the Townsville District Court CCTV footage of the robbery, which showed the first teen order the service station attendant to open the cash register before stuffing a bag with the cash.

A short time later, the second teen told the attendant to fill his bag with cigarettes.

The court heard the second teen initially ran after a customer who had locked herself in the toilet and tried to kick the door in.

Ms Harrison said the pair made off with $1200 from the cash register, the attendant’s wallet containing $200 and her mobile phone.

Police arrested the teens two days later on March 7 at a Kirwan house.

The first teen pleaded guilty to armed robbery in company.

The second teen pleaded guilty to armed robbery in company as well as four additional charges including burglary and stealing for separate offences.

The court heard the second teen had been sentenced for armed robbery in 2018.

Defence barrister for teenager one Kelly Stone said his client had a difficult upbringing struggling with homelessness, family violence and the normalisation of intravenous drug use.

Defence barrister for teenager two Dane Marley said his client was using 1.5g of methamphetamine, 5g of MDMA and 14g of cannabis a week and accepted the robbery was his idea.

Judge Gregory Lynham repeatedly told the boys, now aged 18, that their offence was a “serious example of armed robbery”.

“The fact that each of you had disguised yourselves including placing bandannas over your heads and wearing gloves indicates very clearly, this was not a spontaneous act,” he said.

“Each of you obviously preplanned your activities in going to the service station with the specific intention of committing the armed robbery.”

Judge Lynham sentenced the first teen to a two-year probation order and 50 hours of community service.

However, no was recorded.

The second teen was sentenced to two years’ detention to serve 55 per cent due to his previous criminal history.

Convictions were recorded. conviction