A teenage boy who robbed a Hobart service station while armed with a bladed weapon and wearing a makeshift balaclava has avoided imprisonment.
The 17-year-old, identified in court documents as FBT, confronted a staff member at United Lutana on May 25, 2024 and demanded access to the cash register.
When the attendant told him they were unable to open the till, FBT threatened to stab them.
After failing to obtain cash, the teenager fled with a box of lighters valued at $150 and the store’s mobile phone.
Police found the dumped phone during a sweep of the surrounding area, with fingerprint evidence on it leading to FBT’s arrest the following day.
Officers recovered the stolen lighters from him and a beanie that had been modified with eye holes.
During police questioning, FBT told investigators he had taken drugs that weekend and did not remember going to the service station.
Supreme Court Justice David Porter said the now 18-year-old has a lengthy criminal history, including theft, property damage, assaulting police, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and escape.
The armed robbery occurred just two days after his most recent court appearance.
In sentencing, the teenager’s age, “significant” mental health issues, early guilty plea and 126 days already spent in custody were considered.
Justice Porter said the teenager had a troubled childhood, had been dealing with homelessness for a number of years and struggled with substance abuse.
“As to the reason for the offending, it seems that the motive was simply to obtain money, essentially for survival, in terms of food and somewhere to stay,” Porter said.
The court imposed an 18-month probation order requiring FBT to participate in educational, personal and health programs, along with mandatory counselling and ordered him to pay $450 in compensation to United.
