Bradley Close jailed for Anna Bay assault and Subway robberies at Cameron Park and Heatherbrae
In the space of two weeks, a Port Stephens roofer robbed two Subways with a knife before trying to attack a father and his two teenage daughters. He has now learned his fate.
Newcastle
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Addicted to the prescribed drug Xanax and in financial strain to fund his habit, a Port Stephens roofer embarked on a two week crime spree, robbing two Subways before turning his attention to a father and his two daughters as they walked home.
The court heard there was a “limited degree of planning” when Bradley Stephen Close, 24, decided to leave his Anna Bay home on March 28 last year for a late night walk, fishing knife in hand and a balaclava with holes in the eyes and mouth.
But it’s when he saw a man walking home, he took his opportunity, stepped out from the dark and demanded he hand over money, brandishing the knife just centimetres away from his stomach.
The father who was walking with his two teenage daughters – aged 13 and 14 – at first laughed at the request, saying “are you serious”, before a struggle ensued and the blade was pushed out of Close’s hands.
The 24-year-old was then taken by surprise with a punch to the face, before being pinned to the ground before police were called.
“I’m sorry bro, I’m a f**king idiot,” he yelled, the court heard.
Close pleaded guilty to assault with intent to rob while armed with a knife.
But this was just one of three incidents Close had committed high on prescribed drugs, as he pleaded guilty to previously robbing two Subway restaurants in Cameron Park and Heathbrae within a two-week period.
On both occasions, wearing a hoodie, blue and white surgical mask and black sunnies, the court heard Close demanded money and netted nearly $1000.
Employees were compliant with Close’s requests after seeing a sheath with a wooden handle sticking out of his pants.
In respect of the March 14 Cameron Park robbery, Close told police he had ridden past the restaurants and saw two young people working inside before he parked a few streets away and carried out the offence.
In sentencing Close at Newcastle District Court on Friday, Judge Peter McGrath said the 24-year-old was under the influence of a large amount of anti-anxiety medication at the time of the offences, but it was “not an excuse”, although did add context to his “out of character” offending.
“Limited degree of planning, but planning that was certainly influenced by disinhibiting effects of unprescribed drugs he was taking,” he said.
“Drug use doesn’t excuse his offending but does put it in context. A burst of offending over two weeks.”
Close was jailed for three years and nine months, with a non-parole period of two years, and with time served will be eligible for release in March next year.
“I find he has favourable prospects of rehabilitation,” Judge McGrath said.
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