Corey Harrison: Nowra sentenced over knifepoint robbery of South Coast servo

A South Coast man has been sentenced for his brazen role in the armed robbery of a Nowra service station, after police tracked him down via the GPS ankle monitor he was wearing while on parole.

A Nowra man who helped hold up a service station armed with a large kitchen knife despite wearing a GPS ankle monitor has learned his fate.

Corey Harrison pleaded guilty to assault with intent to rob while armed with a dangerous weapon at Nowra Local Court.

The 24-year-old entered the Mobil Service Station on Kalandar St in Nowra shortly before midnight on September 10, 2021 with the knife in his pants, alongside another man accused of the robbery allegedly armed with an imitation pistol, according to agreed police facts.

The attendant was alone inside the shop at the time of the robbery, and had locked himself inside the enclosed service desk.

“The co-accused walked past him and pulled the firearm out as he approached the service desk,” the facts state.

“Harrison moved back into the doorway where he held the door open.

“He pulled the knife from down his pants and brandished it in the direction of the attendant, whilst keeping lookout.”

The co-accused allegedly demanded money from the attendant, with the fake pistol pointed at them.

Shortly after, Harrison called out that they needed to leave and the pair left the store.

The brief, 30 second robbery was immediately reported to police by the attendant who told officers they had recognised Harrison as being a local man, distinguishable by an ankle monitor he wore due to being on parole at the time of the robbery for an assault charge.

After viewing CCTV footage from the service station, police attended Harrison’s home, only 250m from the site of the robbery, and placed him and the co-accused under arrest. A search of the home uncovered the knife, imitation pistol, and clothes worn by Harrison during the robbery.

In sentencing at Nowra District Court on Thursday, Judge Michael O’Brien said he had been impressed with Harrison’s “frank” and self-incriminating recollection of events given in evidence earlier that day. Harrison appeared at the court in person, while still in custody.

“Harrison demonstrated in his evidence remorse and contrition, and I accept that he genuinely feels sorry for the victim,” Judge O’Brien said.

“He has some appreciation for the fact that the victim would have been very scared.”

Judge O’Brien told the court Harrison suffered from schizophrenia and a mental disability, and was a habitual drug user.

After a childhood exposed to alcohol abuse, he said Harrison would require treatment upon release, including support from the NDIS.

Harrison was sentenced to three years and four months in jail, with a finding by Judge O’Brien of “special circumstances.”

He will be eligible for parole on May 10, 2023.

The co-accused has pleaded not guilty to charges of robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon and possessing an unauthorized pistol.

He has been committed for trial at the Sydney Downing Centre District Court later this month.