Gunman: Give me $20

A FORMER landscaper threatened a man with a replica gun and demanded $20 during a terrifying spree in which he held a fake gun on three people.

Ashley Mepham Graves used three different gel blaster guns to threaten the people on Seaworld Drive about 1.30am on December 10, 2020.

The 39-year-old was lectured about terrifying members of the public and allowing his actions to have a devastating impact on his family during proceedings in the Southport

District Court on Thursday.

Graves pleaded guilty to two counts of armed robbery and one count each of threatening violence and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Judge Deborah Holliday sentenced him to two-and-ahalf years’ prison, with immediate parole. Graves has spent 118 days in pre-sentence custody.

“I have sat here and I have watched (your family) – the amount of grief that you have put them through by your despicable actions is appalling,” she said. “If you put them through any further grief, it’s not me or this court, you will go straight into custody.”

Judge Holliday said the attacks were brazen and would have been terrifying for the victims.

“People should be able to go about their way without being threatened in the way you did trying to obtain money.”

The court was told an Uber driver heard a gun rack behind him as he walked to a public toilet block. Graves mumbled: “You want to kill.”

The driver replied: “I’m from Brazil, I don’t know.”

Graves went back to his car to get a pump-action gel blaster.

He approached a car and held it to another person, demanding money.

When the victim said they were broke, Graves replied: “Surely you have $20.”

Graves switched guns again and approached a group with a black gel blaster handgun, and repeated the demand for $20.

The people in the group said they were broke and Graves threatened to shoot a woman.

He left shortly afterwards, calling out: “You won’t call the cops will you.”

Graves’ car was captured on CCTV and police located him later that day.

Defence lawyer Jason Buckland, instructed by Nic Tobin Legal, said Graves was intoxicated on alcohol and Xanax on the night of the attempted robberies.

“This man found himself in a difficult position and leaned on substances in a way well outside of his character,” Mr Buckland said.

Mr Buckland also provided three letters of apology written by Graves to each of the victims.