Liam Lewis Hawkes pleads guilty to attempted robbery at Biggera Waters business

A man says he still bears the visible and invisible scars of being assaulted during a violent attempted robbery at a Gold Coast business.

An employee of a Gold Coast hardware store targeted in a violent meth-fuelled robbery attempt says he still bears the visible and invisible scars of the attack.

Southport District Court was told Liam Lewis Hawkes targeted the Biggera Waters business just after 4.30pm on February 21.

He concealed a $350 spanner set beneath his hoodie and eventually approached the counter with another item, claiming he had left his wallet in his car.

Appearing for the Crown, Aleesha Buckby told the court the staff member confronted Hawkes about what he had hidden underneath his hoodie and blocked his path as he tried to leave the shop.

Ms Buckby said Hawkes soon lunged at the 57-year-old employee, trying to headbutt or strike him and making several attempts to flee during the struggle.

When the older man was able to put Hawkes in a headlock, the now-28-year-old bit his thumb hard enough to pierce the skin and cause his victim “immense pain”, it was heard.

Hawkes ran towards the exit and retrieved a large knife, holding it towards the staff member and saying ‘f--- you dog c---s” before eventually leaving empty-handed.

The court was told he lied to police when found at his home, claiming he was the one who had been attacked. He was arrested and remained in custody until his sentencing.

The employee received medical treatment for the wound to his thumb, with his victim impact statement revealing he was no longer able to interact with customers or colleagues as he once did.

He said the trauma had left visible and invisible scars, impacting his personal relationships and even his sleep.

The court was told Hawkes had several mental health concerns and was under the influence of methamphetamines at the time of the attempted robbery, having struggled with substance abuse since being introduced to drugs as a teenager.

His barrister Gary Churchill, instructed by Bamberry Lawyers, said it was “shoplifting gone wrong” and his client had not gone there intending to inflict violence.

Mr Churchill told the court Hawkes was remorseful and had been performing well on his previous parole order until things went south in his personal life.

Hawkes pleaded guilty to one count each of attempted robbery and common assault.

He was sentenced to two years’ jail with parole eligibility from Friday, taking into account the months already served in custody.

Originally published as Liam Lewis Hawkes pleads guilty to attempted robbery at Biggera Waters business