Meth-user commits knife and carving fork armed robbery with pushbike getaway vehicle in Mareeba

Mareeba father, Christopher Jamie Lee Teece, 33, has been sentenced to jail after admitting to an armed robbery at a Mareeba bottle shop with a carving fork and kitchen knife in a crime the court heard was “doomed to fail” and “planned, but not very well”.

Christopher Jamie Lee Teece, 33, pleaded guilty to the armed robbery of Liquorland Mareeba last year, when he produced a carving fork and knife and fled on his pushbike.

A father and panel beater who committed a “frightening, premeditated, unsophisticated” armed robbery at a Mareeba bottle shop last year was “doomed to fail”, choosing a carving fork and kitchen knife as his weapons, a pushbike as his getaway vehicle, and committing the crime in view of CCTV, a court has been told.

Christopher Jamie Lee Teece, 33 of Mareeba, pleaded guilty in Cairns District Court to one count of armed robbery at Liquorland Mareeba on the afternoon of February 17, 2024.

The court was told he was under the influence of meth amphetamines at the time of the robbery, and was caught later that afternoon at his house, which was around the corner, after police identified him from the CCTV footage.

Teece’s robbery was captured on CCTV and police identified and arrested him later that day wearing the same clothes from the robbery earlier in the day.

Crown prosecutor David Jenkins said the robbery was frightening, despite its unsophisticated execution, with Teece threatening to stab a bottle shop attendant who approached him.

He said Teece staked out the bottleshop from his bike for some time before going inside and taking two bottles of spirits and 10-pack of pre-mix.

When an attendant approached him just outside the store about the stolen liquor, Teece hpulled out a large kitchen knife and a large carving fork, saying: “I’ll f***ing stab you — I have nothing to lose”, the court was told.

“The defendant got on his bike and rode away with the alcohol ... it was caught on CCTV and the defendant was located that afternoon in the same clothes.” Mr Jenkins said.

“The offending was always doomed to fail ... the prospects of getting caught were always high.”

Prosecutor David Jenkins said Teece’s crime was frightening but “doomed to fail”.

Defence barrister James Sheridan said Teece, a qualified panel beater and scaffolder, had lost his way after the breakdown of his long-term relationship.

He said Teece was under the influence of methamphetamines at the time of the robbery and described the crime as “spur of the moment”, a description challenged by Judge Joshua Trevino KC.

“It wasn’t a great plan ... but there was certainly some planning involved,” Judge Trevino said.

He sentenced Teece to three years imprisonment, noted the 209 days he had served on remand and set a parole release date of May 18, 2025.

Teece produced a large kitchen knife and a carving knife when he was approached by a bottle shop attendant about the stolen alcohol.

“(Teece’s) offending was serious, obviously premeditated ... it wasn’t well planned or sophisticated ... the most serious part is the violent and threatening behaviour to the shop attendant,” Judge Trevino said while sentencing.

“People who work in public facing roles, providing a service to the community, deserve protection.”

Judge Trevino said deterrence was a high priority in sentencing, and also noted Teece’s remorse, prospects of rehabilitation, and his early confessions and guilty plea.

“It is not like you have nothing to live for, Mr Teece, I’m told you have five children ... (with your qualifications) there is every chance that, if you can address your issues, you can be a productive member of the community again.”

Originally published as Meth-user commits knife and carving fork armed robbery with pushbike getaway vehicle in Mareeba