‘Not the brightest’: Ethan Joseph Arona Kerr and Jamahl Edward James Wyles-Pompey sentenced for Yummies armed robbery

A man responsible for the knifepoint robbery of a convenience store has appeared in court, accompanied by his former getaway driver who’s GPS ankle bracelet led police right to them.

Ethan Joseph Arona Kerr, 22, was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment for his role in an armed robbery of Gulliver store Yummies.

A man responsible for the knifepoint robbery of a Townsville convenience store has appeared in court, accompanied by his former getaway driver who’s GPS ankle bracelet led police right to them.

Ethan Joseph Arona Kerr, 22, and Jamahl Edward James Wyles-Pompey, 25, have both pleaded guilty to armed robbery in company for the roles they played in the robbery of Gulliver store ‘Yummies on Mooney’.

The court heard it was Kerr who brandished a large knife and threatened a 15-year-old worker at the convenience store telling her “don’t f---ing move” and “get in the cold room”.

He also told the girl - who was working alone that night - to not run away, but when he turned and began struggling with the cash register, she fled the store.

The court heard Kerr used his knife to pry open the cash register only to realise his fellow robber - a 22-year-old Hermit Park woman - had already taken all the bank notes.

Ethan Joseph Arona Kerr, 22, was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment for his role in an armed robbery of Gulliver store Yummies.

Kerr then stole some cigarettes and returned to the car when Wyles-Pompey waited as the group’s getaway driver.

Both men were out on parole at the time for property related offences, and Wyles-Pompey was wearing a GPS ankle device that allowed parole officers to track him.

Meth was blamed as the driving force behind the robbery, which occurred at 6.10pm on February 7, 2023.

Both men were quickly arrested by police and returned to prison.

Defence barrister Michael Hibble represented Wyles-Pompey and admitted his client was “obviously not the brightest”.

“He had a tracking device which seems to have no effect on him at all, other than making it much easier for the investigating authorities to track him and bring the offending to light,” Mr Hibble said.

“As soon as he gets out of prison, he gets back into methamphetamine.”

Ethan Joseph Arona Kerr, 22, was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment for his role in an armed robbery of Gulliver store Yummies.

Mr Hibble said the facts showed that the robbery was Kerr’s idea and said his client was “just stupid, he just goes along with it (the robbery).”

Defence barrister Ross Malcomson represented Kerr and submitted that four years in prison was the right amount for the 22-year-old.

“He started taking meth when he was 14 years old,” Mr Malcomson said of Kerr.

“He was on meth at the time (of the robbery).”

The men appeared together in Townsville District Court on Tuesday, May 21.

Sitting in the dock together, the men often pulled faces and would duck their heads to hide their smiles.
This was noticed by Judge John Allen.

“They both seem quite jovial in the dock,” Judge Allen said.

“Having a chat and smile between themselves during the course of proceedings.”

Judge Allen sentenced Kerr to four years and six months in prison.

Wyles-Pompey was sentenced to three years and six months in prison.

The sentences will be added onto the time they are already serving.

Originally published as ‘Not the brightest’: Ethan Joseph Arona Kerr and Jamahl Edward James Wyles-Pompey sentenced for Yummies armed robbery