Gavin Charles jailed for his part in Marshall armed robbery

A Grovedale man forced his victim to sit on a toilet while he confronted him about family issues. Moments later, the victim was allegedly shot.

Gavin Charles of Grovedale was jailed for eight months for armed robbery.

A Grovedale criminal confronted a man over a family dispute in Marshall and moments later the victim was allegedly shot in the leg.

Gavin Charles, 30, was sentenced in the County Court in Melbourne after pleading guilty to the charge of armed robbery and was jailed for eight months.

The victim was having social drinks with Charles and a few associates, including an alleged co-accused Christopher Oakley at Mr Oakley’s unit.

Between 5am and 6am on June 11, 2022, the victim went upstairs in the Marshall unit at Station St.

When he went upstairs the victim saw Charles standing in the hallway with Mr Oakley standing in the bathroom area allegedly holding a gun.

The court heard Charles directed the victim to sit down on the toilet while Mr Oakley allegedly pointed a gun towards him.

Charles then raised a family issue involving the victim and accused the victim of not apologising.

In sentencing Judge Carolene Gwynn said the victim was fearful of being shot.

The court heard Mr Oakley instructed Charles to take the victim’s mobile phone from him.

Judge Gwynn said the victim was told he could leave, however, as he went to exit the bathroom, the victim heard a “loud bang” and felt pain in his calf.

In fear of being shot, the victim immediately left the premises and contacted police.

Judge Gwynn said there was no evidence Charles attended the address with a weapon and he had been directed to take the victim’s phone.

“While I accept your offending appears to be spontaneous, unsophisticated and relatively short lived, I doubt much of this description matters to the victim,” she said.

Judge Gwynn sentenced Charles to jail for eight months.

Christopher Oakley, of Marshall, will appear in the County Court at a later date in relation to his alleged involvement.

Originally published as Gavin Charles jailed for his part in Marshall armed robbery