Phillip Malcolm Fitch jailed for attempted armed robbery

A man told a Sunshine Coast service station attendant he was “dead meat” because there wasn’t enough cash for him to steal in a bizarre attempted robbery.

Maroochydore Court House. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A man who attempted to rob a 68-year-old store attendant while armed with a needle and syringe asked the victim “is that all” when provided the cash before leaving empty-handed.

Phillip Malcolm Fitch, 33, appeared in the Maroochydore District Court on Monday November 20, where he pleaded guilty to an attempted robbery with violence while armed.

The court was told Fitch attempted to rob a 68-year-old woman working at a service station in the Glasshouse Mountains while armed with a needle and syringe filled with fluid in May 2022.

Crown prosecutor Elle Bolam told the court Fitch was on bail at the time of the offence, which was captured on the store’s CCTV.

“He told the complainant he was there to rob her and he threatened to stab her with the needle if she didn't give him money, she then produced $250 onto the counter,” Ms Bolam said.

Ms Bolam told the court Fitch repeatedly told his victim he was “dead meat” before fleeing the store empty-handed because he found the money available “insufficient”.

“He made comments including, ‘I’m dead meat by the end of the night, is that all? I need money,’ and when the complainant said it is all gone, he said, ‘I’m dead meat, I’m dead meat now’,” Ms Bolam said.

Ms Bolam also told the court Fitch had previously been convicted for a separate armed robbery of a service station near Toowoomba.

Barrister for Fitch James Feely told the court the 33-year-old was remorseful, and repeated the fact that Fitch did not take any money.

“It is an unusual circumstance in as much as one goes as far as to actually have the money offered to one during the course of such a robbery and then refusing to take it and leave,” Mr Feely.

District Court judge Anthony Rafter told the court he did not agree Fitch had desisted of his own volition, adding he had a lengthy criminal history and offended while on bail.

“Community protection looms large for offenders who reoffend,” Mr Rafter said.

Fitch responded to Mr Rafter’s sentencing remarks saying, “I’ve given my life to the lord now, your honour.”

Mr Rafter sentenced Fitch to three years’ behind bars with a parole release date of November 18, 2024.