Alistair John McFarlane (19), unemployed, was before the Dunedin District Court yesterday on convictions for robbing the female owner of the Mosgiel Mini Mart of cash while armed with an offensive weapon (a machete), on July 21; injuring a male by an unlawful act, on May 30; and attempting to escape from the custody of a constable, on August 11.
Judge Paul Kellar imposed three years and four months' jail, made up of two years and eight months for aggravated robbery, eight months (cumulative) for the injuring offence, and three months (concurrent) for attempting to escape.
The judge said McFarlane went to the Mini Mart, about 6.30pm, and entered the shop briefly carrying a machete and with his head covered.
The shop appeared empty and he left.
Minutes later, he re-entered, still carrying the machete and with his head covered.
The victim approached him at the counter.
Waving the machete, McFarlane demanded cash from the till.
As the victim started getting cash, McFarlane leaned over the counter and grabbed the notes from the till.
He left with about $350.
The "injuring" incident was at a party.
McFarlane punched a male six or seven times in the head, knocking him down, the judge said.
McFarlane had to be restrained.
The male received moderate concussion.
McFarlane's attempted escape from a constable was in the Number One courtroom of the Dunedin District Court.
After being declined bail, he ran across the courtroom and jumped over the bar, before being restrained by police and security guards near the courtroom door.
Counsel Helgi Henderson said it was conceded prison was "an inevitability".
Mr Henderson asked that McFarlane be given full credit for his guilty pleas.
McFarlane showed genuine remorse and had made a clear offer to make amends for the aggravated robbery.
He was not in a position to make reparation but the money would be paid from family resources and McFarlane would repay the family when that was possible.
In addition to the jail term for the aggravated robbery, McFarlane was ordered to pay $350 reparation.
PHOTO: STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
