Teenager Alwyn Eltosn Blair jailed over $2800 alcohol robbery from pub

A teenager will remain behind bars for his role in the robbery of a Rockhampton pub where $2800 worth of alcohol and more than $2500 cash was stolen.

Alwyn Eltosn Blair, 19, appeared in Rockhampton District Court on November 29, 2022.

A teenager will remain behind bars for his role in the robbery of a Rockhampton pub where $2800 worth of alcohol and more than $2500 cash was stolen.

Alwyn Eltosn Blair, 19, was sentenced in Rockhampton District Court on November 29 after pleading guilty on November 1 to one count of robbery in company.

Crown prosecutor Matthew Sutton said Blair was to be sentenced for his part in a robbery committed with his co offender Jacob Jason James Richardson.

Mr Sutton said Blair and Richardson went to the Kalka Palms Hotel on Lakes Creek Road on September 18, 2021 and stole $2800 worth of alcohol, as well as more than $2500 cash.

The Kalka Palms Hotel Motel. Picture: Allan Reinikka

Cleaning staff saw two large rocks that had been used to smash one of the glass doors and found Richardson pushing a trolley.

Mr Sutton said that when confronted by the cleaning staff, Richardson made various threats, including a threat to kill or stab them, the court heard.

He said Blair helped load the alcohol into a car, which the court heard was stolen.

He said some of the alcohol was later found in Woorabinda.

Judge Jeff Clarke said Blair’s DNA was later found on the handle of the trolley and fingerprints on a bottle of stolen alcohol.

Judge Clarke said $800 worth of damage was caused to the Kalka Palms Hotel.

Mr Sutton said Richardson was sentenced to four years’ prison in Rockhampton District Court on June 3 after pleading guilty to 31 charges including one count of robbery.

He said Blair was on bail at the time of committing the robbery.

He said the matter was listed for sentence on November 17, that Blair did not appear and a bench warrant was issued.

Blair was arrested on November 25.

Defence barrister Maree Willey said her client was going through quite a lot in his life at the time of committing the robbery.

“He was having issues with his family,” Ms Willey said.

“He was living very roughly, underneath houses.

“He wasn’t in a particularly good place in his life at the time.”

She said recently her client’s partner has advised him she was pregnant with his child.

“The fact he is to become a father he says is motivation for him to mature and stay out of trouble,” she said.

Judge Clarke sentenced Blair to three years’ prison, with 215 days pre-sentence custody declared as time served and parole release set for January 23, 2023.