A young man who robbed Cactus Liquor in Whangarei during offending to fuel his addictions has been sent to jail.
Dylan John Moyle, 22, of Regent appeared for sentencing in the Whangarei District Court having pleaded guilty to single charges of aggravated robbery, burglary and shoplifting.
On March 26 he burgled a central Whangarei house, stole car keys and tried to steal the vehicle. He was foiled when a nearby tenant blocked his way with his car.
Moyle was arrested through his DNA and pleaded guilty at his second appearance in June. On April 1, he stole items worth $12.50 from New World in Regent and was arrested.
On April 12, a day after he was released on bail, Moyle robbed Cactus Liquor of $160 cash after showing a saleswoman a kitchen knife.
Crown prosecutor Todd Nicholls said there were threats of violence at Cactus Liquor, although no actual violence was perpetrated by Moyle.
The complainant in the burglary case had moved into the flat a day before Moyle broke into it and tried to steal the car.
Defence lawyer Arthur Fairley said an electronically monitored sentence was ruled out. Moyle was at a medium risk of re-offending and his motivation to change was low.
Moyle took tablets for schizophrenia and had been out of trouble since 2009.
Judge Keith de Ridder said drugs and alcohol have had a severe grip on Moyle's life.
His actions at Cactus Liquor severely traumatised the saleswoman who had nightmares for a considerable period of time.
In a letter to the court, Moyle's mother said she stood by and would support him in future.
Judge de Ridder said that, with treatment, Moyle could turn his life around. He imposed a sentence of three years and four months' jail.