Supreme Court Three years jail for robbery with knife

Press, 18 December 1976, Page 4

Supreme Court Three years jail for robbery with knife

In spite of a probation officer’s recommendation. Mr Justice Casey sentenced an Australian man in the Supreme Court yesterday to three years jail on a charge of robbery in which a knife was used.

The man, Rodney Kenneth Willis aged 25, unemployed, guilty to the of robbery in the Magistrate’s Court, and had been sent to the Supreme Court for sentence.

The police statement of facts disclosed that about 8.55 p.m. on Friday, September 17, the shop manager of Keystores, Ltd, at 16 Papanui Road. Arthur Gerard McNab, was robbed of $879 as he and a female shop assistant were about to close the shop. Willis went into the shop with what was believed to be a butcher’s knife, and a scarf covering his face. He approached the manager and put the knife up to his throat held it there, and demanded money from the till.

After stuffing the money inside his jacket pocket, Willis told the four persons in the shop that they were not

to leave for five minutes, otherwise they would be shot by a person who was waiting outside.

Inquiries had revealed that a young woman had been standing outside the shop preventing persons from entering while Willis was inside. None of the money had been recovered, the police said.

Mr P. H. B. Hall, for Willis, said that he was unable to adopt the recommendation of the probation officer that Willis be put on probation. Although there were a number of mitigating factors, he did not think that was the proper course, because of the seriousness of the offence.

Willis was an Australian who had been in New Zealand for 10 months. While he admitted that he had carried a knife, he denied that he held it at the manager’s throat and said that he had merely showed it to him, Mr Hall said. No-one had been injured.

Since his arrival in New Zealand, Willis had had his difficulties, and had turned to heavy drinking. If it had not been for that he would not have committed the offence. Willis was destitute at the time and had had to rely on help from friends. The offence was out of character, and a former employer was willing to have him back. He would be deported at the end of his sentence, Mr Hall said. For the Crown, Mr N. W. Williamson said that the manager had stated that the knife had been thrust at his throat. The money had not been recovered, and Willis had not assisted in the apprehension of his co-offender. His Honour said that Willis was a first offender in New Zealand. He was mature enough to know what he was doing. He had a good probation officer’s report, and had impressed the officer with his honesty and sincerity. However, his Honour said that he was unable to accept the recommendation for probation.

“This was a most serious offence. A person who uses a knife during the course of a robbery or burglary can expect to be treated with severity by the courts, because of possible injury, and to deter others from doing the same. ,

“It must have been a terrifying experience for the victim and the others involved. This offence must be met with a lengthy term of! imprisonment,” his Honour; said.