An Illawarra man who robbed a taxi driver at knifepoint and made off with his vehicle in an early morning heist at Kiama will remain behind bars until 2018.
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Robert Sharrock was sentenced to an overall term of five years and four months in the NSW District Court on Friday, almost three months after pleading guilty to a charge of robbery armed with an offensive weapon.
Judge Antony Townsden set a minimum non-parole period of three years, dating from when Sharrock was taken into custody on July 1 this year.
The court heard the victim, a Wollongong Radio Cabs driver, had picked Sharrock up from Wollongong train station about 3.30am on August 29 and agreed to drive him to Kiama, with Sharrock saying he was "meeting up with his missus", who would pay the fare when they arrived.
However, as they approached the seaside town, Sharrock instead told the driver to take him to the Kiama lighthouse, claiming he was "meeting a mate".
The driver said he still drove Sharrock to the location despite feeling uneasy about the change of plans, but pulled up close to the entrance of the park where there was more light.
No one was at the location when they arrived, the police documents said.
The cabbie told police he saw Sharrock pull a Leatherman-style tool out of his jacket pocket and flick it open, saying, "Just give me your money".
The cabbie handed Sharrock $250 then climbed out of the taxi, at the same time managing to push a silent alarm on his key ring.
The driver tried to take the keys out of the ignition as he got out, but Sharrock quickly ran around to the driver's door, prompting the victim to back away.
Sharrock hopped behind the wheel and drove off, leaving the cabbie stranded.
The vehicle was later found abandoned down a ditch near Jamberoo and was declared a write-off.
Sharrock was arrested at a later date.
He was charged with robbery armed with an offensive weapon, stealing a motor vehicle and driving whilst disqualified, after it was revealed he was banned from holding a licence until 2036.
Sharrock will become eligible for parole on June 30, 2018.
He will be subject to supervision on parole, which will require him to undertake alcohol, drug and psychiatric counselling.