ROBBERY NETS CASH, CIGS AND TWO PIES

A WOMAN stopped filming a robbery at a Coolangatta petrol station after she was spotted by a lookout crook.

Khalas Douglas Gallagher pointed and spoke to the woman, who was getting fuel, while a mate held the cashier at knife point for 464.75 cash, $392 worth of cigarettes, and two meat pies.

The 22-year-old pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court on Friday to one count of armed robbery.

The court was told Gallagher and a 36-year-old man entered the Coolangatta 7Eleven about 9.10pm on March 1, 2020.

The older man put meat pies in a bag while Gallagher hovered at the door smoking a cigarette. The co-accused produced a knife and told the cashier: “Give me the cash or I will f--king kill you.”

While this was going on, Gallagher noticed a witness at the service station filming and pointed at her mouthing something.

It is not known what he was trying to say but the woman stopped filming.

The court was told an arrest warrant has been issued for the co-accused.

Judge Geraldine Dann sentenced Gallagher to two years’ prison with release on parole on Monday. She said customers at the store were just trying to pick up groceries or fuel.

“People should be able to do this type of thing without being confronted by this type of violence,” she said.

Defence barrister Kim Bryson, instructed by Howden Saggers Lawyers, said Gallagher suffered from mental health issues and drug problems. She said he now had a much better support system than a year ago.