Staged robbery ‘stupid’
Mates caught after TAB heist to pay gambling debts
A YOUNG Hobart man who staged a robbery with his best mate to recover debts at his grandmother’s TAB now realises his “stupidity” and wants a future in dog grooming, his lawyer says.
Defence barrister Rochelle Mainwaring told the Supreme Court of Tasmania yesterday that Alexander James Abey, 20, was “very ashamed” of his behaviour, which arose when he panicked after racking up illegal gambling debts.
In April this year, Abey was working about 70 hours a week at his grandmother’s Derwent Park TAB so she could look after her dying husband, Ms Mainwaring said.
But the Berriedale man, in an illegal practice called “credit betting”, placed 34 bets worth $10,336 without paying for them.
He and his best friend, Harry Michael Corner, 19, came up with a plan to recover the money by pretending the TAB got robbed by a man demanding that Abey open the safe. The pair stole $32,800 in cash before police traced the robbery back to the two youths.
Ms Mainwaring told the court Abey got a job at a seafood logistics company to repay the balance.
“Effectively at the age of 19, he was trying to run his grandmother’s TAB agency while she was caring for his grandfather,” she said.
“Clearly, it was a tall order. “He’s very aware of the stupidity of his actions and the fact he’s let his family down.”
She also said Abey had since completed a course in dog grooming and was working for a mobile grooming company.
She said Corner, 19, had been trying “to assist his friend”, but was “clearly misguided”.
Abey has pleaded guilty to computer-related fraud, stealing, making a false report to police and dishonestly acquiring a financial advantage.
Corner, of Lenah Valley, has pleaded guilty to one count of stealing. The pair will be sentenced on December 9.