Victims’ trauma a factor in sentence
THE trauma suffered by the victims of a string of armed robberies was reflected in a lengthy prison sentence yesterday imposed on the 23year-old perpetrator.
Albert Frederick Riley, of Mowbray, was sentenced for three armed robberies carried out over two days in January, and a range of associated charges, including an attempt to evade police that ended with a serious head-on crash on a busy Launceston street.
He pleaded guilty to charges in Launceston Court on Thursday.
The first of the robberies was about 10.25am on January 9, when Riley robbed Launceston Kmart of $600 worth of items, threatening a staff member with a curved knife.
The next day he used a realistic looking toy gun to rob a shop attendant at the Ravenswood BWS bottle shop, and used the pistol and a machete to rob a pregnant shop clerk at the Top Shop general store at Waverly.
He left BWS with $150 cash and a 10-pack of Jack Daniels and Cola, and made off from the general store with $4816 in cash and tobacco products. Before leaving both stores, Riley told his victims to close their eyes and count to 10.
Justice Robert Pearce yesall Supreme terday said the pregnant woman pleaded with him not to hurt her when she heard his gun “click”.
Police spotted Riley driving at Norwood shortly after the robberies and activated lights and sirens. Riley sped off, but lost control and hit a truck on Penquite Rd. He was seriously injured and trapped in his car.
Blood tests revealed methamphetamine in his system.
Justice Pearce said Riley had a “very difficult life” with a childhood characterised by abuse and neglect, and a history of drug use and criminal offending, but had “numerous opportunities for reform”.
He said the threatening use of weapons had a “traumatising effect” on his victims, and although there was no risk of the toy gun being discharged, it made “little difference”, because “both victims thought the gun was real”.
Justice Pearce said the BWS attendant suffered continuing anxiety and had become “more socially isolated”. The general store worker had been unable to return to work, suffering nightmares, anxiety and fearing for her safety.
“You have written letters of apology, but they hold little weight,” Justice Pearce said.
He sentenced Riley to seven years and three months in prison and disqualified him from driving for four years.