Ethan Fuimaono dragged staff member across Mortdale Hotel floor in attempted robbery

A young man handed a staff member a note demanding money or he would “shoot everyone” in a “brazen” attempted robbery at Mortdale Hotel on Anzac Day.

Ethan Fuimaono, 24, was sentenced in Downing Centre District Court last week after he pleaded guilty to assault with intent to rob and having custody of a knife in a public place. He attempted to rob Mortdale Hotel on Anzac Day last year. Picture: Google Maps

A former apprentice plumber has been jailed for four years after he jumped over a bar and dragged a Mortdale Hotel staff member across the floor in a terrifying and “brazen” attempted robbery.

Ethan Fuimaono, 24, was sentenced in Downing Centre District Court last week after he pleaded guilty to assault with intent to rob and having custody of a knife in a public place.

Fuimaono was sentenced to four years and six months in jail with a non-parole period of two years and six months, backdated to his arrest.

Agreed facts said Fuimaono entered Mortdale Hotel and approached the bar about 8pm on April 25 last year.

A hotel employee was standing behind the bar when Fuimaono handed her a note which said, “B4 I jump over the counter, give me money or I shoot everyone?”

Fuimaono got over the bar and ran towards her while, at the same time, a knife fell out of his pocket onto the floor.

He grabbed the woman by her hair and pulled her towards him.

About five hotel patrons ran towards the bar area prompting Fuimaono to let go and the woman ran into the public area of the bar.

Fuimaono was sentenced to for years and six months in jail with a non parole period of two years and six months Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The patrons wrestled Fuimaono to the ground and held him until police arrived.

The court heard Fuimaono had been in custody since his arrest, was on parole at the time and had a lengthy criminal history.

In 2019, Fuimaono was sentenced to imprisonment for aggravated robbery and inflict actual bodily harm and was released on February 14, 2022.

While on parole, he was compliant with supervision, referred himself to a drug rehabilitation program and started counselling.

The court also heard Fuimaono was sentenced for robbery armed with an offensive weapon in 2017 which occurred when he was 18 years old.

The court heard prior to going to jail for the first time, Fuimaono did three years of a plumbing apprenticeship after leaving school.

After he was released from custody in February 2022, he lived with his mother and gained employment but, following an argument over money with his family, he resumed drinking, taking drugs and gambling, which he had done since a teenager.

The court heard Fuimaono acknowledged he needed a more intense rehabilitation program in custody and in the community to help him stop reoffending.

He said he had consumed alcohol, ice, MDMA and heroin on the day of the attempted robbery and said “I don’t know what I was thinking” and acknowledged, “of course the victim would have been scared” but stated he needed money.

The court heard he was remorseful for his actions and had the support of his mother who had been trying to get him into rehabilitation facilities.

A Crown prosecutor submitted Fuimaono’s actions towards the victim were “startling, forceful and aggressive resulting in the victim being fearful of further assault”, adding the woman was a vulnerable worker.

The prosecutor submitted it was a “brazen” offence with limited planning, and occurred on Anzac Day when other patrons were present.

A defence lawyer said the incident was short and Fuimaono made limited attempts to conceal his identity but conceded the incident was planned because he had written the note.

Judge Phillip Mahony determined there was some planning involved but the crime was “unsophisticated”.

“The offender used physical force towards the victim by pulling her hair which no doubt caused pain and panic in what was no doubt a frightening experience for her,” he said.

Judge Mahony took into account Fuimaono’s age and need for intensive rehabilitation but noted his criminal convictions for similar offences “demonstrated a continuing disobedience towards the law”.

“He must understand that if he continues to offend in this way the courts will impose increasingly lengthy sentences of imprisonment on him,” he said.

Fuimaono will be eligible for release to parole on October 24, next year.