Nicholais Havet: Man pleads guilty to Killarney Vale armed robbery

A Bateau Bay man who stole a knife from a man he hooked up with on Grindr then went on to hold up a service station in Killarney Vale.

A man has pleaded guilty in court over an armed robbery at Coles Express in Killarney Vale in May 2020.

A Bateau Bay man who stole a knife from a Grindr hook up and then robbed a service station in Killarney Vale is set to be sentenced.

Nicholais Thomas Havet pleaded guilty to robbery armed with an offensive weapon in Wyong Local Court on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old appeared via audio visual link, having been in custody since his arrest, and was relaxed as his pleas were entered. When given his next appearance date, he replied to Magistrate Elizabeth Ellis, “sounds like a date”.

The court facts stated that Havet entered the Coles Express service station on Wyong Rd in Killarney Vale at 4.14am on May 14 2020.

CCTV image of Nicholais Havet entering the Killarney Vale service station. Picture: NSW Police

Image of Havet leaving the scene. Picture: NSW Police

He approached the counter and asked for two packets of cigarettes before pulling his phone, wallet followed by a seven inch knife out of his pocket.

The facts stated that he pointed the knife at the 64-year-old shop attendant and said, “give me the money out of the till.”

The attendant replied, “you’re kidding, aren't you?”

Havet replied “I hate to do this but I have kids”.

The attendant removed the cash from the register, telling Havet there was only $70.

“Do you really want to go to jail for $70?” he asked Havet.

Havet picked up the cash, leaving behind a pile of $2 coins, and grabbed the cigarettes before leaving the store and jumping a back fence.

Havet stole a knife from a Grindr hook up. Picture: Chris Delmas

CCTV footage of the robbery was reviewed by police and posted on a social media site before information led officers to Havet’s house on May 23.

During the visit, a police officer looked at mobile phone messages which read “Now I’m on the run” and “If I hold these c**ts up with a — would you come and pick me up?”

A search of Havet’s house found a knife, replica pistol, 0.21g of cocaine and steroids.

The facts went on to state that Havet had been staying at a man’s house since May 11 after the pair met on the dating site Grindr. When he was asked to leave on May 14, Havet stole a knife from the man.

Havet pleaded guilty in Wyong Local Court. Picture: Sue Graham

Havet was arrested on May 24 and during his initial interview with police he denied any involvement in the robbery. However during his second interview he admitted to the offence and said he did not remember it as he had taken drugs beforehand.

He said he told the attendant he had children so he would view him in a better light.

Other charges including larceny, possess unauthorised pistol and possess prohibited drug will be taken into account when he is sentenced. Havet will appear in Gosford District Court on February 18, 2021.