P.D. for armed robbery of post office

Press, 20 December 1985, Page 8

P.D. for armed robbery of post office

“A thoroughly spoilt young man who would rather do anything rather than work” was sentenced to nine months periodic detention, on a charge of armed robbery of 5920 from the Thorrington Post Office, by Mr Justice Holland in the High Court yesterday. Donald Leslie Martin, aged 22, a former salesman, had pleaded guilty to the charge of aggravated robbery in the District Court and was committed to the High Court for sentence. The police statement said that after Martin lost his job as a salesman he got into debt. He made an imitation sawn-off shotgun and was wearing dark glasses when he went to the Thorrington Post Office. After presenting the “firearm” at the teller Martin passed her a note telling her it was a hold-up and to act naturally. He made off with 5920 in a plastic bag. As a result of help from two schoolboys the police quickly apprehended Mar-

Mr P. van Schreven appeared for Martin, and Mr T. M. Allan for the Crown.

Mr Justice Holland said that Martin appeared to him to be a thoroughly spoilt young man who had decided that he wanted to do anything rather than work.

Because he was the baby in the family it could’well be that he had been over indulged by his mother whom he had let down. The normal sentence for aggravated robbery of a post office would start at a minimum of four years. “I am not going to do that in your case because I am satisfied that in your, present state it would do you a great deal of harm and would probably confirm you as a criminal for the rest of your life. I have the gravest suspicions that might well be what you are. You have all the makings of a man who lives on fraud,” said his Honour. As it was Martin’s first conviction for dishonesty, he used an imitation firearm and there was no physical violence he would depart from the normal.

“You are in need of help. A person with an attitude to life like yours can easily resort to alcohol and you have. It is a comforting way out when you cannot face problems,” his Honour said.

Martin was fortunate in having supportive parents and in not being sent to prison for a substantial period. He had spent just over a month in prison so he would now have some idea of what the loss of liberty was all about. “If you come back again you will be in real trouble,” Mr Justice Holland said.