Patrick Steven Arahanga, a 37-year-old man, attempted to rob a bakery in Hamilton East last year with a firearm, a 20cm knife, and a cut-down ball hammer stuffed down his pants.
Arahanga was arrested on charges of demanding with menace, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a cut-down ball hammer.
He demanded the bakery employee open the till and hand over the cash, threatening to open it himself if necessary. Several customers entered the shop and alerted police officers, who arrested Arahanga.
Police found a knife with a 20cm blade and a cut-down.22 firearm, and a cut-down ball hammer down his pants, along with 2.6 grams of meth in a snap-lock bag.
Judge Phillip Crayton acknowledged the ongoing emotional and psychological harm suffered by victims of aggravated robberies, stating that the offending was premeditated and there were threats of violence.
Defence lawyer Jessica Tarrant acknowledged intimidation but not at the Crown’s alleged level. Arahanga was jailed for two years, and the weapons were ordered to be destroyed.
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