Amie Elizabeth Earl sentenced in Bowen District Court for armed robbery

A woman has been jailed after admitting to robbing a bottle shop at knifepoint, demanding cash from a young employee — but what she said afterwards saved her.

Amie Elizabeth Earl was jailed after admitting to robbing a bottle shop with a knife, demanding cash from a young employee.

A Bowen woman has been jailed over an afternoon bottle shop robbery where she pulled a knife on a store clerk and demanded cash.

Amie Elizabeth Earl faced Bowen District Court on 29 May, where she plead guilty to armed robbery.

The court heard on 7 September, Ms Earl entered and exited a bottle shop twice within her face obscured before she entered for a final time and pulled a steak knife from her pants.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Nicole Butler said she pointed the knife at a 21-year-old employee and demanded they “hand over the cash as quick as possible”.

The employee complied, opening the till drawer at which point Ms Earl said to them “hurry up, hurry up, I need to go, I’m in a rush”.

Amie Elizabeth Earl apologised to the clerk after the robbery.

The employee handed over approximately $800.

The court heard the now 24 year old apologised to the employee before she fled the scene.

Judge John Coker said the apology was an indication of conflicted emotions but noted the whole incident must have been horrifying for the young victim who thankfully did not have to be retraumatised by reliving the event in court.

Ms Earl was arrested and when questioned by police denied the offending.

Ms Butler said Ms Earl had appeared before the Magistrates Court 12 times in the four years prior to being arrested for the robbery and she had a history of burglary, stealing, wilful damage, and assault.

Barrister instructed by Richard Rewald Solicitors, Jessica Hine, appeared on behalf of Ms Earl telling the court the offending was borne out of need rather than addiction or desire.

She told the court Ms Earl was unemployed at the time and struggling financially and said she had a difficult relationship with her mother so didn’t feel she could ask for money.

The fact Ms Earl apologised to the store clerk a relevant factor of the offending said Ms Hine as was the fact it was not a protracted incident.

Ms Hine said it was an achievement that Ms Earl had gained employment in the prison kitchen while she was in custody and presented the court with an employment statement.

“It is promising that the report speaks highly of Ms Earl and her efforts in custody,” she said.

Judge Coker said a supervision report had thrown light onto the whole situation.

“When I read the statement of facts I just thought what the hell is going on in this young lady’s mind,” he said.

Ms Hines said it was promising that the supervision report said she had responded well to supervision.

Judge Coker said in his sentencing that the charge was of an extremely serious nature with a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Amie Elizabeth Earl was sentenced via video link in Bowen District Court.

He said it was a situation where things could have escalated very quickly.

“If you had the knife with you and you pointed it at him and he took a different approach and thought that you were joking or thought that he could overpower you there could have been serious injury or even death,“ he said.

Judge Coker took into account Ms Earl’s diagnosis of a delusion disorder and schizophrenia but said she had a significant history accumulated over just four years.

He said he hoped her early plea of guilty was a sign of remorse.

“There is clearly insight and understanding on your part that even though there are other difficulties and demons in your life, they must be dealt with appropriately,” he said.

Ms Earl was sentenced to three years imprisonment with a fixed parole release date of 9 September which took into account the 261 days Ms Earl spent in pre-sentence custody.

After her release she will spend two years under parole supervision.

“I do hope that you take positive steps,” Judge Coker said.