A teenage ice addict who robbed two Warrawong businesses at knife point has been sentenced to 15 months’ jail.
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Liam Jackson Forrester was chronically depressed, drug-addicted and upset about the breakdown of a four-year relationship when he held up the Video Ezy and King Street Caltex service station on July 28 and August 4, respectively.
On each occasion, the 19-year-old put a red shopping bag on the counter before producing a silver knife and demanding staff fill the bag with cash.
He made off with almost $800, which he used to fuel his ice addiction.
During his sentencing hearing at Sutherland District Court on Monday, the court heard Forrester had first tried ice as a 17-year-old but became addicted after he broke up with a long-time girlfriend.
His mental health deteriorated to the point he was hospitalised, suffering chronic depression.
The court heard Forrester had a difficult upbringing and felt abandoned by his mother, who dumped him with his alcoholic father and moved interstate when he was 11.
Sentencing the teen on two counts of armed robbery, Judge Paul Conlon acknowledged Forrester’s difficult upbringing, his clean criminal record and willingness to stay drug-free.
He also recommended him for a rehabilitation program.