Ipswich court: Clinton Noy, Andy Coulson jailed for stabbing elderly man

An elderly Lowood farmer was “betrayed” after a trusted employee tried to rob him in the dead of night with a mate, a court has heard.

An Ipswich man has been jailed for attacking an elderly farmer with a knife when he was confronted stealing fuel from the man’s shed with a mate, a court has heard.

Clinton Noy at the Ipswich Courthouse.

Clinton Patrick Noy had worked on the 80-year-old’s secluded Lowood property for at least a year.

The 22-year-old and his friend, Andy Robert Coulson, drove to a shed on the property about 4am on March 12 last year, Ipswich District Court was told.

Judge Deborah Richards said the farmer, Mr Keller, got out of bed after he and his wife woke up.

Mr Keller drove to the shed on his quad bike to investigate, when he was confronted by the two men.

Ms Richards said the farmer bravely snatched keys from the ignition of the men’s car.

“Coulson exited the vehicle holding a metal bar… demanding the keys, (then) Noy approached the complainant (Mr Keller) … armed with a knife and threatened to stab (him),” Ms Richards said.

Ms Richards said the men began struggling over the keys before Noy “jabbed” Mr Keller with the knife.

“Fortunately, Mr Keller was not particularly badly injured physically,” she said.

“But… that obviously had a significant effect on him mentally.

Ipswich Courthouse.

“He feels understandably betrayed by you, because he was kind enough to employ you … and considered you a trusted person, as did his sons considered you a friend.

“And you repaid that by using that knowledge from your employment to know that this was an isolated area where you could get petrol.

“Your offending is actually more serious (than Coulson’s) because of that betrayal.

“You must have known that this was going to be a place where you could get the petrol, where there was an older couple living, where it was isolated, and you decided to take advantage of that.”

Noy pleaded guilty in February to armed robbery in company and wounding.
Coulson, 26, pleaded guilty to attempted armed robbery in company and wounding.

Both men were sentenced to three years’ jail.

Noy will be released on parole on September 12.

Coulson’s parole date was set for June 12.