‘Trying to steal lollies’: Drug addict turns himself in to police

A drug addict who became ‘overwhelmed’ with his ice addiction intentionally robbed a store in Pimlico so he could be returned to prison and better manage himself, a court has heard.

The AMPOL Pimlico service station

A drug addict who became “overwhelmed” with his ice addiction intentionally robbed a store in Pimlico so he could be returned to prison, a court has heard.

John Sweeney Morseu, 26, was charged with armed robbery after he turned himself in to police a few hours after the altercation at the Pimlico AMPOL on January 9.

Morseu has spent the last 223 days in pre-sentence custody.

Crown prosecutor Ashley Gaden said at 4.59am Morseu approached the counter and asked the sole employee on shift to “give me the money from the till”.

“The (worker) refused and Morseu asked if there was anything else he could have to which he was told no,” Ms Gaden said.

The AMPOL Pimlico service station

“He went to leave the service station but before actually leaving he returned back to the counter and again asked if there was anything he could have. When he was refused, he produced a knife with a two-inch blade.”

Ms Gaden said the knife appeared to be home made, and the court heard it was at this point the employee pressed the distress button.

“Morseu asked if he could take confectionary items to which the (worker) replied ‘I can’t stop you’,” Ms Gaden said.

The court heard Morseu took a bag of lollies, a bottle of water, and “a few items” then left the store.

Judge Paul Smith presided over Morseu’s sentencing on Monday, August 19, and remarked the armed robbery was “very strange”.

“You went in and softly asked for some money,” Judge Smith said.

“Trying to steal lollies with a knife, basically.”

Defence barrister Kellie Mythen said Morseu had an addiction to the drug ice and on the morning of the armed robbery he was “overwhelmed”.

“He came to be overwhelmed with the complexities he faces living in the community with a drug addiction,” Ms Mythen said.

“He offended, effectively, to see himself taken back into custody.”

The court heard Morseu has enrolled in drug rehab courses in prison, but remains on a waitlist to receive the counselling.

Judge Smith sentenced Morseu to three years imprisonment, with a parole release date of January 8, 2025, taking into account the 223 days he’s already served.

Originally published as ‘Trying to steal lollies’: Drug addict turns himself in to police