Tram crash, fake gun robbery, cars stolen in Gold Coast crime spree
A Gold Coast man crashed into a tram, stole three cars and held a woman at gunpoint with a fake weapon in a one-day crime spree. HOW IT ALL HAPPENED >>>
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A man who crashed into a tram and then held a woman at gunpoint with a fake weapon as part of a one-day crime spree will be released from prison on Tuesday.
Albert Hope also punched at and kicked a Good Samaritan who stepped in to help.
The 23-year-old pleaded guilty via video link in the Southport District Court on Tuesday to multiple charges including attempted armed robbery, assault occasioning bodily harm, unlawful use of motor vehicle and break and enter.
Hope’s extensive criminal history included two robberies, seven burglaries and eight unlawful uses of a motor vehicle, the court was told.
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Judge Rowan Jackson sentenced him to three years in prison with immediate parole release.
Hope has been in custody since May last year when he committed the spree.
“You caused (the woman) not only significant pain in the arm and shoulder but you terrified her which is apparent from her victim impact statement,” he said. “No doubt this was a mentally and emotionally distressing event.”
The court was told the spree began about 6am on May 21 last year when Hope smashed a window at an auto shop in Woodridge and stole three cars, including a white BMW.
He was driving that same BMW later in the day when he drove through a red arrow in Broadbeach and crashed into a tram.
As the car was being pushed along the track, the woman heard Hope ask for help.
When she approached, with her car keys in hand, Hope tried to wrestle the keys from her before pulling her right arm up her back. He then got a replica gun from his bag and threatened her.
A Good Samaritan nearby heard the woman’s screams for help and came to help.
The man was able to overpower Hope and held him until police arrived.
Defence barrister Dominic Nguyen said Hope was paranoid that someone was chasing him.
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