Jai Darnett sentenced for armed robbery, supplying dangerous drugs

A young man who robbed a Sunshine Coast convenience store armed with a knife to quickly make some cash to pay off his drug debts has been sentenced to jail.

A young woman who was working behind the cash register of a Palmwoods convenience store when she was robbed at knifepoint has faced the man who forced her to hand over cash and cigarettes.

Jai Darnett, 23, pleaded guilty in Maroochydore District Court on August 18, 2022, to armed robbery, five counts of supplying a dangerous drug and possessing a mobile phone used for a criminal offence.

Crown prosecutor Rebecca Marks said Darnett had entered the Palmwoods Spa store about 10.30am on July 5, 2021, wearing a hoodie to shield his identity.

The woman, who was 20 years old at the time, told the court the moment her “heart drops” when she realised what was happening.

“The man comes up to the counter and orders me to give him the till and smokes,” she said.

“I did nothing as I was frozen with fear. He repeats it again and I see something in his hand as he moves it out of his jumper pocket.

“I panic, stutter and falter my way to the button that opens the till, worrying that if I don’t go fast enough he could hurt me.

“His hands come across the counter and swipes the money on the way up.”

She told the court Darnett’s actions still affect her “to this day”.

The court heard Darnett drove off in his own car.

Ms Marks said police later found him but he denied any involvement in the robbery, stating his car had been stolen.

Police searched his phone and discovered evidence he had sent messages in the days leading up to the robbery about drug deals, where he had either sold or attempted to sell methamphetamine.

Ms Marks said Darnett had carried out the “unsophisticated” robbery, where he took $232, and sold the drugs to pay his own drug debt.

Judge Glen Cash sentenced Darnett to three years in prison.

“You demanded the contents of the till and some cigarrettes, when she hesitated you reached into the pocket of your jumper and showed the handle of the knife,” Judge Cash said.

“I hope that hearing (the victim) speak here today makes clear to you that the crime that you committed has a real victim, and you’ll appreciate as well the utter selfishness of your decision to use drugs in the first place and then in the grip of addiction to rob the store as you did.”

Darnett will be eligible for parole on May 18, 2023.