A 14-year-old boy has avoided a criminal conviction after pleading guilty to an armed robbery at a Launceston liquor store, where a knife was brandished at terrified staff and customers.
The teenager, who cannot be named, was sentenced to 12 months’ probation by Supreme Court Justice Michael Brett on Tuesday after stealing $120 worth of alcohol from First Choice Liquor on March 12.
The court heard the boy and another 14-year-old had been offered money to steal alcohol from the Bathurst Street store.
Once inside, the other youth pulled out a knife and began threatening people.
Justice Brett said the boy hadn’t known about the knife beforehand but went through with the robbery after seeing it, directing staff to show him where certain alcohol was kept.
“If you had done this as an adult, despite your young age, is not that far away, you would go to jail for a long time,” he said.
“The worst thing about it is that the people who were threatened with the knife would have been very scared and listening to the victim impact statement, were very scared and traumatised by what happened.”
The court heard the boy had a difficult childhood and was not always properly cared for by adults.
He now lives with his grandmother, father and uncle in what appears to be a more stable environment.
Between the robbery and his Supreme Court sentencing, the teenager picked up further charges, including stealing and assault.
He spent several weeks on remand at Ashley Youth Detention Centre before receiving a separate probation order in the Magistrates Court in September.
“If you keep taking drugs, drinking alcohol and committing crimes, you will end up back in detention and ultimately prison,” Justice Brett said.
“If this happens, you will lead a very unhappy life. Youth justice will provide you with support and you should accept and take hold of that support to help you to live your life in a good and positive way.”
The judge ordered the teenager to pay $120 compensation to First Choice Liquor and did not record a conviction due to his age.
