A man who put a sick cancer patient in a chokehold and dragged him across a room before stealing his wallet and phone has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail.
Kaydon Poole was sentenced in the Supreme Court of Tasmania on June 16 after pleading guilty to one count of aggravated robbery.
The court heard Poole went to the man’s home around 8:30pm on June 29, 2024.
The pair had known each other for about eight weeks, but the victim knew Poole only as “Daniel”.
The man was seriously ill with cancer and was taking pain medication, although Poole did not know he had the disease.
Poole demanded the medication and became angry when the man refused.
He wrapped his arm around the seated victim’s neck, put him in a chokehold and dragged him across the room while demanding money.
Justice Tamara Jago said Poole told the man, “Don’t fight it” and “Where’s your money?”.
When the victim broke free, Poole punched him in the face several times.
He then stole the man’s wallet, which contained about $2,000 in cash and several cards, as well as his phone.
The attack left the victim with fractures to three ribs and multiple bruises to his face and body.
He died on November 25, 2024, although the court did not link his death to the attack.
Justice Jago said Poole’s offending involved a high level of criminality.
“Your propensity to resort to violence is very concerning,” she said.
The court heard Poole had a difficult upbringing and a long-standing addiction to methylamphetamine.
Poole was sentenced to two years and six months in prison, backdated to February 5.
He will not be eligible for parole until he has served 18 months.
