By Cam Lucadou-Wells
An ice user who embarked on a month’s spree of armed robberies in the South East has been jailed.
Christopher Randell, 31, pleaded guilty to five armed robberies and two attempted armed robberies in July and August last year.
Often wearing a dark hoodie and sunglasses, Randell wielded a blade, such as either a tomahawk, box-cutter knife or black-handled kitchen knife, the County Court of Victoria heard.
The robberies occurred at so-called “soft targets” – Subway restaurants at Berwick and Hallam, tobacco shops at Cranbourne and Hallam, a newsagency at Pearcedale, a toy store at Ferntree Gully and a video outlet at Beaconsfield.
During each hold-up, Randell demanded and took cash ranging from several hundred dollars to about $1520.
On two occasions, attendants yelled for help and he fled without money.
He was arrested after police identified his father’s registered vehicle at one of the robberies.
During sentencing on 19 September, Judge Julie Condon noted that Randell claimed that he had been trying to repay a drug debt.
He was feeding a $300-a-day ‘ice’ habit at the time, the court heard.
After the final attempted robbery, Randell attempted suicide and was admitted as an involuntary mental-health patient at Casey Hospital.
He had a “rather complex” psychiatric history – including a diagnosed serious mood disorder, schizophrenia and psychotic episodes, Judge Condon noted.
Since 21 August, 2017, he had been isolated in a prison’s protective unit due to disputes with other prisoners, the court heard.
His lengthy criminal history included several jail stints for armed robberies over the past decade, as well as robbery, burglary and assault.
“For much of your adult life, you have been incarcerated,” Judge Condon said.
Last year’s “serious and persistent” armed robberies occurred six months after Randell completed a parole period, she noted.
There was a “traumatic” impact on the victims, including a terrified mother and daughter at work.
Another described being unable to sleep, recurring nightmares and extreme anxiety. She no longer enjoyed social activities, and being overcome by anger, sadness and despair.
Judge Condon noted Randell’s early guilty plea, stated remorse, his family’s support on release and that he’d find prison more onerous because of his mental illness.
Randell was jailed for up to five years, four months – including 411 days in pre-sentence custody.
His non-parole period extends for three years, five months.
