Billy Campbell, 23, jailed for attempted taxi robbery outside Gracemere bowls club

A young man involved in the attempted robbery of a taxi driver told police the group initially planned to rob a service station because they needed money. Here’s what happened in court.

A young man involved in the attempted robbery of a taxi driver told police the group initially planned to rob a service station because they needed money.

Billy Campbell, 23, pleaded guilty on June 10 in Rockhampton District Court to one count of attempted robbery while in company.

Crown prosecutor Millie Volck said Campbell and two associates called for a taxi to the Gracemere Bowls Club about 11.30pm on March 31, 2019.

She said Campbell’s female co-accused entered the taxi when it arrived and gave the female taxi driver, 24, an address.

“While the taxi was still stationary, the defendant opened the passenger door and the (alleged) co-offender opened the driver’s side door,” Ms Volck said.

“They were disguised in balaclavas and long-sleeved clothing.”

She said Campbell leaned over the victim and yelled “give me the money”.

Ms Volck said the victim accelerated about five metres before braking, closed the driver’s door and locked it.

She said the victim then looked over to the passenger door and saw Campbell was still there.

Ms Volck said the taxi driver yelled at Campbell to get out and accelerated again with the female co-accused still in the car.

She said the victim then drove to the Gracemere police station to immediately report the incident, with the female co-accused fleeing upon arrival.

Ms Volck said police spoke with an alleged male co-accused on July 21, 2021, who made full admissions.

She said police attended Campbell’s residence two days later where he made full admissions, stating “the robbery was born from needing money”.

“He admitted the group devised a plan to rob a service station but decided against it due to the amount of surveillance,” Ms Volck said.

“Instead, the group decided to rob a taxi driver as they would have money and no cameras.”

Defence barrister Julie Marsden said her client was single and had a child with the female co-accused, who has allegedly moved interstate, and Campbell drives nine hours each way to visit his child for 1.5 hours.

Billy Campbell, 23, admitted the group devised a plan to rob a service station but decided against it.

She said Campbell’s parents separated before he was born and he had a sister in Brisbane and a brother in Ireland.

Ms Marsden said Campbell had worked in a sawmill for eight months after completing year 12 in Moura.

She said Campbell, who was medicated for depression and anxiety, now worked in a factory making wire screens.

Ms Marsden said her client, who has no criminal record, was ashamed and embarrassed by what he did to the taxi driver.

Judge Jeff Clarke said he had not been provided any victim impact material, however, he had “no doubt there would have been considerable impact”.

“This must have been a particularly frightening experience for the young lady driving the cab,” he said.

Judge Clarke sentenced Campbell to an 18-month prison term, wholly suspended and operational for two years.

The female co-accused has a warrant out for her arrest having failed to appear in court on October 1, 2021, for her charges related to this incident.