Armed robber Benjamin Paul Shepherd sentenced for daylight crime against man in his 60s

A man armed with a knife who stole another man’s retirement savings – while sharing a cup of coffee with him – has now learned his fate.

A man who accepted a cup of coffee from his victim during a terrifying daylight home invasion and robbery of an older man has been jailed.

On December 6, 2021, the victim attended Port Adelaide’s Westpac branch to withdraw $40,000 of his retirement savings to help his son.

The next day, the man – aged over 60 – withdrew a further $45,000, which Benjamin Paul Shepherd learned of, and confronted the older man on his driveway.

Shepherd, 40, pulled a knife and demanded at least $22,500 from the man – forcing his way inside the home when the victim ran for safety – and overpowered his attempts to close the door.

Once inside, Shepherd threatened the victim and “growled” while circling the knife in front of him.

The man brought $15,000 in cash to Shepherd, who visibly “calmed” then accepted an offered cup of coffee, which he drank with the victim.

When the man’s partner returned home, Shepherd described himself as the man’s “friend”, took $5000 and left.

During sentencing for Shepherd, judge Michael Durrant said the man and woman were left with symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, felt “betrayed” and no longer “safe”.

Shepherd was found guilty of one count of aggravated robbery and aggravated serious criminal trespass by a jury on June 20, 2024.

Following his conviction and the revocation of his bail, Shepherd launched an appeal against the jury’s decision.

The court heard this offence was a “significant escalation” from prior offences including assault and theft, and His Honour said he was “guarded” about his prospects of rehabilitation – due to Shepherd’s use of illicit drugs acting as a catalyst for his offending.

His counsel made submissions that Shepherd was “remorseful” for his offending and was regretful that it had occurred.

“(Your counsel) suggested the fact you calmed significantly when (the man) got the money, that you shared a cup of coffee and that you departed peacefully, demonstrated your internal conflict about robbing an old man in his home,” Judge Durrant said.

His Honour said he had not given Shepherd credit for any “contrition” as he did not deviate from the “neutral” position taken during his appeal.

Judge Durrant sentenced Shepherd to six years imprisonment for his offending, with a three-year, seven-month and six-day non-parole period.