Kylie Maree Herlihy jailed for breaking into elderly man's home

Kylie Maree Herlihy, 37, of Newnham, was in tears as Justice Robert Pearce passed sentence in the Launceston Supreme Court, after she pleaded guilty to armed robbery and burglary charges.

Herlihy went to her uncle's residence on May 25, where she expressed a desire to break into the victim's address and rob him. The victim was not known to her, but was known to her uncle.

IN OTHER NEWS:

It followed an incident earlier that day, when Herlihy and a group of young men had broken into the same house and stole various prescription medications.

That evening, Herlihy's uncle drove her and Harley Luke Sturzaker, 21, of Ravenswood, to the South Launceston address, waiting outside while the pair broke in through the back door.

Sturzaker entered the lounge room and pointed a double-barrel shotgun at the victim, demanding money, while Herlihy began searching the home.

Justice Pearce told the court that Sturzaker then used the shotgun to strike the victim in the head with such force that he was knocked out of his chair and onto the ground. Sturzaker then struck him again before Herlihy came into the room and held the gun while Sturzaker searched for money.

Herlihy did not inflict violence upon the victim.

The pair left the victim bleeding on the ground, escaping with two wallets, some foreign currency and jars containing coins - worth a total of about $450.

The victim sustained lacerations to his head and left hand, as well as other injuries.

Herlihy's counsel said her client had had a traumatic upbringing, having been abused and neglected as a child. The court also heard she struggled with addiction.

"An unsuspecting, elderly and vulnerable man was targeted twice in the same day," Justice Pearce told Herlihy. "The plan to rob him was yours."

Herlihy was sentenced to four years and three months' jail and will be eligible for parole once she's served half her sentence.