A would-be thief who became trapped in a Berkeley service station while attempting to rob it at knife point has been given four months to get his life on track.
Judge John Pickering agreed to delay sentencing for Blayde Paterson on Friday in order for him to continue with an intensive rehabilitation program at Odyssey House.
The move came after Paterson told the court he had been addicted to prescription medication at the time and had little recollection of the January 19 incident, although regretted his actions.
“I don’t remember preparing for it at all, I just remember pulling the knife out of my sleeve – it had been in the tackle box in my car,” he said.
“I don’t wish that on anyone – that could have been my father or anyone I loved and care about.
“It’s not fair for anyone to have that happen to them.”
CCTV footage of the incident showed Paterson arriving at the doors of the Nolan Street 7-Eleven about 3.30am and waiting to be remotely let inside the secured doors by the shop attendant.
Upon entry, Paterson immediately pulls a pair sunglasses over his eyes, walks to the counter and thrusts a knife towards the attendant, telling him, “give me all your money otherwise I swear I will come inside the counter”.
The attendant pauses then moves quickly into an office, a few steps away.
The thief darts towards the sliding doors and, finding them locked, and the counter area secured by stainless steel wiring, spends the next 10 minutes desperately trying to find a way out.
At one point he pulls back and lands several hard kicks against the doors. He also failed in an attempted exit through the roof.
The CCTV captures the moment police turn up at the scene, ordering Paterson to lie flat on the ground and put his hands on his head as they wait to be let in by the attendant.
Once the doors are opened, officers take hold of Paterson and restrain him.
Court documents said the knife was discovered inside a garbage bin in the store.
In arguing for leniency, Paterson’s lawyer, David McCallum, said his client’s “feeble” attempt at an armed robbery had been over almost before it began.
“He makes a conscious decision to abandon his commission of the offence from the time the attendant locks himself in the office,” he said.
“The knife wasn’t swung, brandished or lunged [towards the victim].
“The victim is able to side-step the proximity of the knife and retreat to safety.”
Mr McCallum also said Paterson had shown great remorse for what he’d done and was in the process of turning his life around.
The case will return to court on November 30.
