Lochlann Mervyn-James Lynch pleads guilty to robbery and unlawful use of a motor vehicle

A man has been sentenced for his involvement in an early morning car jacking on the Sunshine Coast which led to one man getting punched in the jaw.

A Logan man has pleaded guilty to his involvement in an early morning carjacking on the Sunshine Coast after his friends decided to “steal something”.

Lochlann Mervyn-James Lynch, 20, of Bethania, appeared in Maroochydore District Court on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, where he pleaded guilty to robbery in company using personal violence and unlawfully using a motor vehicle.

The court heard Lynch, who was 18 years old at the time of the offence on February 13, 2021, was a part of a group of four teens involved in the crime.

Crown prosecutor Madalyn Olivero said Lynch and his co-accused were walking around the streets of Warana about 2am when they came across the victim trying to get into his car.

Ms Olivero said one of the co-accused approached the man and threatened him with an unknown object stating “give us your car or lose your life, I’ve got a knife”.

Lochlann Mervyn-James Lynch pleads guilty to robbery and unlawful use of a motor vehicles in Maroochydore District Court. Picture: Aisling Brennan

The court heard the man was then punched in the jaw by another co-offender and fell to the ground.

After the man had been kicked, Lynch and his co-offenders then got into the man’s car but realised they didn’t have the man’s keys because they were still in his pocket as he lay on the ground.

Ms Olivero said the co-offender who was attempting to drive the car then further threatened the man and his friend to hand over the keys.

The group then drove off with Lynch in the back seat.

The court heard the whole incident lasted about three minutes.

The group were later spotted by police about an hour later and began a pursuit which lasted about 15 minutes before the car was ultimately stopped by road spikes.

Ms Olivero said Lynch had co-operated with police during his interview and had told officers the group had intended to steal something.

She said while Lynch was not one of the co-offenders involved in physically hurting the victim, he still chose to remain in the car when the key mishap occurred.

“The offender has a chance to desist but he got back in the car,” she said.

“(He said) … it was his own decision for getting in the car and he would not blame anyone else for that.”

Defence barrister Nathan Turner said his client’s role in the incident was “very minor” and that his sentence should be dealt with discretion.

“He did not say anything or commit any violence, he did not drive the vehicle,” Mr Turner said.

“He admitted that he and the others were looking for items to steal.”

Judge Glen Cash said despite not being a part of the violence inflicted on the victim, Lynch was still liable for his actions during the offending.

“You’re liable because the group had some loose idea of stealing things, it’s culpability,” he said.

“It wasn’t your intention anyone would be robbed … but you were happy to get into (the car) and drive away once it was stolen.”

Lynch was given a two-year probation and sentenced to 200 hours of community service to be carried out within 12 months.

The court heard two of the co-accused were sentenced in the Queensland Children’s Court, and the third was never identified by police.