Bradley Collins, 25, of Mooroopna, pleaded guilty in Shepparton County Court to attempted armed robbery, and summary charges of possessing a prohibited weapon, and fraudulently using registration plates.
The court was told Collins’ partner went inside MacIsaac Tobacco and Gift Store in MacIsaac Rd, Mooroopna on October 15 last year and asked for the price of an item and if they accepted card payments.
After she was told it was cash only, the woman went outside to Collins, who then went into the shop at 3.48pm wearing a mask over his face and carrying a large hunting knife that he placed on the counter in front of the shop attendant while demanding money.
The 69-year-old female shop attendant managed to escape and run to a nearby chemist where she called 000.
Collins left the store empty-handed and went home.
In sentencing Collins to a community corrections order, Judge Wendy Wilmoth said the shop attendant was “terrified by you placing a knife on the counter” and now suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.
The worker had also not been able to work since, and was finding it hard to live on just the pension.
Judge Wilmoth said Collins had significant debts of $38,000 at the time.
However, she called it an “unsophisticated attempt to commit armed robbery”.
Judge Wilmoth noted that Collins had used cannabis since he was a teenager, and had used Xanax for about 12 months for stomach cramps.
However, she said he had since sought help for the drug addiction, and was still a young offender with no prior criminal history.
Judge Wilmoth also spoke of a letter to the court from the former apprentice welder’s parents who said he was aware of the wrongfulness of his actions.
“It’s clear that you are sorry for what you did and it was a mistake,” Judge Wilmoth said.
However, she said while Collins must be punished, sending him to prison ran the risk of exposing him to bad influences.
Collins was sentenced to a two-year community corrections order, with 150 hours of community work.
Judge Wilmoth ordered that as part of the corrections order Collins be treated for drug use, and for psychological issues.
All hours spent in treatment can be counted towards his community work hours.
Meanwhile, Collins’ partner pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and fraudulently using registration plates and was placed on a 12-month diversion in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court.
Among the conditions of the diversion were that she continue to engage with Bridge Youth Services, and not commit any further offences.
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