Service station robbers jailed

By Court Reporter
A top New Zealand sportsman and his associate who admitted robbing the Papamoa Shell Service Station in August have each been jailed for two years and nine months.
Arataki labourer Joseph Anderson, 20, and Mount Maunganui 19-year-old labourer Joel Burke, who represented New Zealand at the World BMX champs in France last year, were sentenced in Tauranga District Court yesterday for committing aggravated robbery.
The pair admitted they and a third unemployed 19-year-old - who is currently on the run - smashed their way into the service station shortly before midnight on August 19 and robbed the sole attendant at knifepoint, making off with $120 cash, cigarettes and tobacco.
Crown prosecutor Elaine Tan told Judge Russell Callander a prison sentence starting at 6 1/2 years was appropriate.
On the day of the robbery Burke, Anderson and their cohort allegedly drove around the Western Bay drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis. Shortly before midnight the trio drove to the service station on Domain Rd.
While Anderson stayed with the vehicle, Burke and their alleged co-offender entered the station forecourt disguised with bandannas across their faces, sunglasses and hooded sweatshirts over their heads. The sole attendant immediately activated the locking mechanism on the front sliding glass door but Burke used a glazier's glass-cracker to smash it open. His associate then threatened the attendant with a knife, demanding cash and cigarettes.
Burke leapt over the counter, stole a packet of cigarettes, placed them in his bag and fled the station.
While Burke was behind the counter, it is alleged the other man threatened the attendant by saying "give me the notes and smokes, hurry up or I will cut you".The three drove off toward Mount Maunganui, where they split the proceeds and went their separate ways.
Both Anderson's and Burke's defence lawyers, David Bates and Bill Nabney, argued that six years was too severe a sentence given their clients' early guilty pleas, remorse, age and backgrounds.
Mr Nabney told Judge Callander that Burke's family offered $10,000 as reparation to their victim as a sign of remorse. Mr Nabney said Burke's offending was totally out of character and his crimes were the result of his substance abuse on that day and peer pressure.
"His record up to that day had been exemplary and his background representing New Zealand in BMX cycling showed the commitment and sacrifices he had to make to represent his country."Judge Callander told Burke and Anderson that clearly they had made "a grievous and stupid mistake" that was fuelled by alcohol and drugs.
"But just as clear is [that] you have been sucked in by your alleged co-offender and amazingly went along because you didn't want to be seen as wimps in his eyes."Judge Callander said he would give discount to both men for their earlier guilty pleas, remorse and lack of prior history and the reparation offer by Burke.
They were each jailed for two years and nine months.
The pair's alleged co-offender is still on the run. He had previously been caught but was remanded on bail and failed to turn up to court on September 19. A warrant for his arrest has been issued.