KMART ARMED HOLD-UP TERROR

A KMART worker came within centimetres of being slashed with a knife during a terrifying robbery at a Geelong store, a court has heard.

Cody Williams, 22, was trying to steal a backpack from the retail chain’s Belmont store when he suddenly flashed a knife after being confronted.

The County Court was told Williams repeatedly “swiped” the knife at two workers, including a shift manager who was almost struck by the blade.

Williams, now 23, of Norlane, pleaded guilty on Thursday to armed robbery, along with drug and weapon offences.

Prosecutor Honorah Edwards said the robbery took place about 11.50pm on July 11, 2020.

Williams had been inside the Kmart for more than 40 minutes when one of the victims, a security guard, instructed him that the store was about to close.

He made his way towards the exit carrying a black backpack, but was stopped by the shift manager who noticed Williams did not have the item when he entered the store.

The employee asked to check the bag before Williams replied: “Do you want to go?”

The court heard he “half lunged” his head at the worker and then said words to the effect of, “I’ll swipe ya” and “Stay away from me, I can cut you guys”.

Williams then pulled a large boxcutter from his jacket and swiped it across his body towards the employee’s stomach, with the blade coming within 15-20cm of the victim.

He repeatedly swiped the knife at the worker before turning to the security guard and swinging the weapon at the man’s stomach.

Williams fled the store and was arrested two days later, when police found him with a knife matching the weapon used in the robbery.

Officers also seized cannabis, knuckledusters, a baton and a shotgun shell.

He has remained in custody since his arrest.

In a victim impact statement, the Kmart shift manager said he was still reeling from the incident, which left him “scared” that such an “unprovoked” event could happen at any time.

“I tell myself it’s a good thing it happened to me and not one of the junior teenagers, who often do the same job,” he said.

“I often felt scared wondering what if someone had been seriously injured or what if a customer had been injured.”

Defence barrister Philip Teo said his client turned to drugs following the death of his uncle, who was killed in a violent altercation in Tasmania in 2014.

Williams, originally from Hobart, moved to Geelong three years ago.

The court heard his younger brother died in a motor vehicle accident late last year and that Williams was unable to attend the funeral due to being in custody.

Judge Michael O’Connell will sentence Williams at a later date.