New Zealand national admits orchestrating violent robbery of Oxenford Thai massage parlour

A Gold Coast-based New Zealander wielding a gel blaster orchestrated a violent massage shop robbery - tying up two women and threatening to shoot them, a court has heard

Police at the scene of a violent robbery in which two women were ziptied and holed up in a room. Picture: 9 News Gold Coast

A Gold Coast-based New Zealander has admitted to orchestrating a violent massage shop robbery and tying up two workers.

James Garner Daniel, 39, and co-accused Damien Charles Kleidon, 36, pleaded guilty at Southport District Court to one count each of armed robbery in company, attempted robbery in company and two counts of deprivation of liberty.

Daniel also pleaded guilty to one count each of stealing, wilful damage and unlawful entry.

At 8.30pm on July 1 last year, New Zealand national Daniel and Kleidon arrived at the Thai Massage parlour at Cottonwood Place, Oxenford the court was told.

CCTV of the armed robbery, showing the alleged offenders leaving the scene. Picture: 9 News Gold Coast

The pair were confronted by two workers when they attempted to enter.

Daniel, wielding a replica handgun, told the workers “if you don’t do what we say I will shoot you” and demanded they hand over money and phones.

During the ordeal, one worker handed Daniel about $300 and when she refused to hand over her phone, he snatched her handbag. The other staff member had no money, handing over her phone and attempted to hide her car keys.

The court was told Kleidon then noticed the CCTV camera and “rendered it useless” while Daniel “brandished” the replica gun at the two women, demanding they put their hands behind their backs, ziptying them.

Damien Charles Kleidon. Picture: Facebook

The two women were walked to a massage room and told to stay inside while Kleidon blocked them from leaving, the court heard.

Daniel found the worker’s car keys on a sofa and went back to demand the PIN number to her phone. When she refused he smashed the device and left to ransack her car.

The court was told the woman eventually managed to escape and yelled at Daniel. The accused pair fled the scene before police arrived - but were arrested three days later.

When questioned by police Daniel said he came up with the idea to rob the parlour after “drinking a lot” and because he “needed the money”.

Police at the scene of a violent robbery in which two women were ziptied and holed up in a room. Picture: 9 News Gold Coast

At the time, Daniel and Kleidon were both living in Daniel’s car, the court was told.

After the death of his son, and the death of his mother a week before the incident Daniel spiralled into drug and alcohol abuse, the court was told.

Kleidon told police he agreed to Daniel’s plan to rob the parlour “to make sure nothing bad happened”.

Judge Deborah Holliday sentenced Daniel to five years imprisonment with 148 days in pre-sentence custody as time served. His parole eligibility date was set to May 11, 2025.

Kleidon was sentenced to three years imprisonment and a fixed parole date on July 4 this year.