Mathew Baker to have sentence reduced for threatening various victims with guns during 48-hour crime spree

A meth addict who pointed a gun at a man’s head and told him “it’s your f***ing time” during a terrifying 48-hour rampage will receive a lighter sentence.

A father who petrified 11 victims during his violent robberies had his 15-year jail sentence classified as “unjust” after an appeal.

Mathew Colin Baker, 36, had a win in court and will receive a lighter sentence for threatening numerous people across northern Adelaide in a terrifying rampage.

In their judgment, Justices Mark Livesey, Sam Doyle and Auxiliary Justice Michael Buss determined Baker’s sentence was “unreasonable or plainly unjust”.

Baker was sentenced to 15 years jail, with a non-parole period of 12 years by Judge Michael Durrant in March.

The sentence was backdated to December 11, 2020.

Baker’s two-day crime spree began when he stole a silver Hyundai sedan from a Blakeview property at midnight on December 20, 2019.

During sentencing, the District Court heard a man was walking to buy cigarettes at Blakeview when he was threatened by Baker with a revolver on December 22, 2019.

“You demanded half his cigarettes or else you would shoot him in the face,” Judge Durrant said.

Baker then punched the victim to the face, causing him to fall.

Two victims were drinking coffee in Walkerville at 7am on the same day when they were threatened by Baker with a shotgun and revolver.

Baker raised both firearms and demanded the victim’s wallet and mobile phone.

Twelve hours later — at 7.30pm — a motorist at Ingle Farm drove off at speed when Baker pointed a revolver at him.

Only five minutes later, Baker drove at speed towards another victim in his car who pulled over.

“You pulled a silver revolver from your lap … you said to (the victim) it’s your f***ing time c***,” Judge Durrant said.

The driver slapped the barrel away from his face and drove off.

The final incident occurred at Valley View when a man playing soccer with friends was confronted by Baker with a double-barrelled shotgun who demanded the keys to his Ford XR6 ute.

“You then hit another victim in the face with the barrel, which caused him to lose consciousness,” Judge Durrant said.

Baker then tried to escape from heavily-armed STAR Group officers on a bicycle when they raided a Burton property on December 23, 2019.

Mathew Baker will be re-sentenced for his northern suburbs gun rampage. Photo: Istock

Baker, of Burton, pleaded guilty to multiple counts, including robbery, threatening life and assault.
During Baker’s appeal against sentence in the Supreme Court, counsel argued the sentence hadn’t taken into account Baker’s rehabilitation, namely he became drug free for the first time in about 15 years.

Justices Livesey, Doyle and Auxiliary Justice Buss agreed Baker’s offending was “violent, random, intense and very dangerous” but determined his sentence was longer than necessary.

Baker will be re-sentenced at a later date.