James Cattell jailed for drunken, violent Swansea tobacconist robbery

A man has been sentenced to a prison term after bashing a store owner and stealing 30 vapes before commandeering a push bike and heading to an RSL where he tried to offload the wares to a table of minors.

James Cattell was jailed for his offences at Newcastle District Court on Tuesday. Supplied Amy Ziniak

A man has been sentenced to a prison term after bashing a store owner and stealing 30 vapes before commandeering a push bike and heading to an RSL where he tried to offload the wares to a table of minors.

And the actions were so appalling, his own lawyer said the actions were “pathetic”.

James Cattell stormed the Swansea tobacconist on Pacific Highway in January last year just before closing time and demanded the employee give him “all the vapes”.

The court heard the 27-year-old was aggressive and waved a glass bottle at the staff member before things escalated when the 24-year-old snatched it from the counter.

Seen on CCTV footage played in court, Cattell then confronted the man and kicked him in the stomach, headbutted him and punched him several times to the face which prompted him to hand over about 30 vapes from a nearby drawer.

Cattell was about to leave but when he saw the staff member on the phone, he doubled back and demanded he hand it over and tried to assault him again.

Cattell hit the Swansea tobacconist on the Pacific Highway before assaulting a worker on January 9, 2024. Picture: Google Maps

Cattell then tried to sell vapes to minors at a local RSL. Picture: Liam Kidston

The 24-year-old made a run for it and escaped down the street with Cattell in tow, and ran into a nearby Woolworths.

But his “chaotic” actions didn’t stop there. He stole a push bike and rode it to the nearby Swansea RSL where he tried to sell the vapes to a table of minors.

He was stopped in his tracks by an off-duty police sergeant who approached Cattell with other family members before he was thrown out by security.

The court heard on his way out, he struck a 16-year-old boy, giving him a bleeding lip before police were called and he was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station.

Cattell pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery, intimidation, larceny, attempt to dispose of stolen property and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

In Newcastle District Court on Tuesday defence barrister Dr Robert Cavanaugh said it was serious but needed to be viewed in context of a series of chaotic, “pathetic” actions because he was affected by alcohol.

“He accepts that what he did was very bad. The pathetic nature is clearly shown in the stealing of vapes,” he said.

“His behaviour is very poor when he consumes alcohol. When he is not having alcohol and misbehaving, he is quite an intelligent person.”

Crown Prosecutor Hamish Fitzharding said it was clear there was lack of planning because Cattell was holding a takeaway container of food throughout the whole robbery.

But he argued his criminal history was concerning, including his well-known alcohol abuse which led to aggressive and violent behaviour.

Judge Tim Gartelmann sentenced Cattell to three years, nine months jail with a non-parole period of two years and five months.

He said it was clear the 27-year-old was heavily intoxicated at the time of the offences and was impulsive but noted his significant record and several acts of violence in the past.