Ronald William Charles Binge: ‘Good-hearted’ getaway driver jailed for liquor store robbery
A Moreton Bay man has landed in court for being the getaway driver in a ‘terrifying’ liquor store robbery where a female staffer allegedly faced off with a man with an axe.
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A Moreton Bay man has landed in court for being the getaway driver in a ‘terrifying’ liquor store robbery where a female staffer allegedly faced off with a man with an axe.
Bray Park man Ronald William Charles Binge, 22, pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court on Thursday to robbery armed/ in company and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
The court heard the Binge, who’s a former bricklayer, was the getaway driver in an alleged armed robbery of a BWS liquor store in Chermside on September 15 last year.
The court heard he waited near the store in a stolen blue Sedan while his male co-accused allegedly went inside and told a 27-year-old female staffer to put cash from the til into a bag as he watched on with an axe in his hand.
The court heard the co-accused allegedly left the store with $277 cash and went to where Binge was waiting in the stolen car and they drove away.
The court heard Binge and his co-accused were identified by police through CCTV and evidence linking Binge to the purchase of the axe.
Binge’s lawyer told the court his client had a “tragic upbringing” where his mother was frequently incarcerated and his sister died of cancer.
He also referred to a letter written by Binge’s grandmother, where she described him as a man with a “really good heart” who had been led astray by bad influences and had “developed demons” as a result of his upbringing.
Acting Judge Prskalo sentenced him to three years imprisonment with a fixed parole release date on October 9, 2022.
“There can be no doubt that this must have been a terrifying experience for the complainant,” she said.
The 113 days he spent in pre-sentence custody was declared time served under the sentence.
The court heard Binge’s co-accused is still awaiting indictment for his matters.