Nicholais Havet sentenced over Killarney Vale armed robbery

The former Repco worker who held up a service station in Killarney Vale over $70 and two packets of cigarettes has been sentenced.

A former Repco worker who held up a Killarney Vale service station at knifepoint over $70 and two packets of cigarettes has been sentenced.

Nicholais Thomas Havet, of Bateau Bay, was sentenced to four years imprisonment with a non parole period of two years at Gosford District Court on Friday.

The 22-year-old appeared via audio visual link, having been in custody since his arrest in May 2020, with his family in the courtroom as the sentence was handed down by Judge Tanya Bright.

Nicholais Havet was captured on CCTV. Picture: NSW Police Force \

Havet pleaded guilty to one charge of robbery armed with an offensive weapon earlier this year with other offences including larceny, possess prohibited drug and possess unauthorised taken into account during the sentencing.

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

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.”

Nicholais Havet pleaded guilty to an armed robbery at a Killarney Vale service station.

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.

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.

He was sentenced to four years imprisonment.

The court heard that he had been staying at a house with friends and had been kicked out the day of the robbery. Before he left, he stole the seven inch knife.

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.

Havet’s defence lawyer described the offending as “bizarre” indicating that Havet had money and no criminal record aside from a traffic offence. He said excessive drinking and drugs impacted his decision making that day.

Havet will be eligible for parole in May 2022. Picture: Sue Graham

The court heard Havet expressed sincere remorse for his actions and did not hide behind his alcohol and drug taking.

“I wish I could express my sincere regret … there’s no excuse” he wrote in a letter to the court.

Judge Bright said it was unusual for someone with no criminal history to come before the courts with such a serious offence.

“The victim was doing nothing more than going about his employment,” she said.

“I have no doubt the whole experience for him would have been terrifying.”

However, while she accepted Havet’s remorse and said he had good prospects of rehabilitation, she said general deterrence for the armed robbery and possessing an imitation pistol was needed.

Having been in custody since May 2020, Havet will be eligible for parole on May 22, 2022.