A drug addict has been jailed for robbing the Mowbray Pizza Hut while armed with a small axe.
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Shaun Andrew Blake, 39, pleaded guilty to attempted armed robbery and armed robbery in relation to two incidents that occurred within 15 minutes of each other on January 12.
Blake entered the Invermay Newsagency wearing a puffer jacket with a hood pulled over his head and a bicycle helmet on.
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Armed with a screwdriver, he threatened and demanded money from two employees. One of the women activated the alarm, causing Blake to flee.
Chief Justice Blow said the headgear worn made things a bit worse for Blake because it made him look particularly alarming and threatening to the women.
"This was a particularly upsetting experience for the two staff members. They both had a range of psychological consequences," Chief Justice Blow said.
After his unsuccessful attempt at Invermay, Blake went to Pizza Hut at Mowbray armed with a small axe and demanded money from the owner. Blake got away with $395.
"One of the problems with robberies is that people sometimes develop really serious psychiatric symptoms months or years down the track," Chief Justice Blow said.
Blake's terrible upbringing unsurprisingly led to him having drug problems and repeatedly getting into trouble as a result, Chief Justice Blow said.
"There is not much for me to take into account in your favour," he said.
Blake's coopeartion with police, remorse for his victims and desire to overcome his drug problems were mitigating in sentence.
He was convicted and sentenced to four years and six months' jail. He will be eligible for parole after serving three years
Blake was ordered to repay the $395.
A three-month suspended sentence was also activated, with one month served cumulative to the new prison term.