Corey John Ambler jailed after robbing delivery driver of $35 and a pizza

A landscaper who ignored pleas from his friends not to rob a pizza delivery driver has paid with his freedom.

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A LANDSCAPER ignored pleas from friends not to rob a pizza delivery driver and instead threatened the worker and hit him with a wooden pole.

Corey John Ambler then made off with about $35 and a pizza.

The 23-year-old pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court on Monday to armed robbery.

Judge Rowan Jackson sentenced him to two-and-a-half years’ prison with parole release on November 26.

“Men like this guy (the delivery driver) are entitled to go about their business without men like you belting him with a pole,” he said.

The court was told Ambler and two friends had been drinking and smoking cannabis in their Gold Coast home on June 29 last year when they decided to order a pizza from Domino’s.

Ambled asked his mates if he should rob the driver.

“No, we have money to pay,” they replied.

The court was told Ambler then left the home, covered his face with his hand and a hoodie and waited until the delivery driver arrived.

Ambler then used a 1m wooden pole to threaten the driver and demand the money.

The driver initially thought Ambler was joking and laughed.

Ambler demanded money again and hit the driver with the pole.

The driver dropped the pizza and went to leave but Ambler demanded money again.

The driver threw the money at Ambler and left to go back to work.

The court was told Ambler later lied to police and said he had left before the delivery when a man threatened him with a gun in the backyard.

Defence barrister Bernard Reilly, instructed by Allen & Searing Lawyers, said Ambler developed a drinking and cannabis problem in his late teens.

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Originally published as Corey John Ambler jailed after robbing delivery driver of $35 and a pizza