Christian Sales: Gym junkie sentenced over taser robbery of protein supplier

A gym junkie who threatened to rob and hurt his protein supplier after being “overcharged” $10, has been sentenced in court.

A gym junkie who robbed and threatened his protein bar delivery guy with a taser after being “overcharged” has been ordered to complete 300 hours of community service.

Christian Sales, 43, faced the Bendigo County Court on Friday after pleading guilty to armed robbery, unlicensed possession of shotgun shells, cannabis possession and possession of a prohibited weapon.

The court heard Sales had a longstanding agreement with protein bar entrepreneur Mason Taylor to deliver bars to his home before selling remaining stock online.

Maryborough man Christian Sales, 43, used a taser to rob his protein bar delivery guy in October 2020. Picture: Facebook

He visited the Maryborough man’s home on October 11, 2020, delivering the goods to Sales’ mother because he wasn’t home.

The following day Mr Taylor returned to see Sales, but was instead confronted by the irate man who “menacingly” threatened him with a taser and claimed he’d ripped him off $10.

“Motivated by the perception he insulted or disrespected your mother and overcharged you, you made threats,” Judge Michael Bourke said of the offending.

Mr Taylor attempted to get in his car but was blocked by Sales, who had a hunting knife and taser visibly hanging from his belt.

In a 10-minute rant that the victim likened to “gibberish”, Sales held the activated taser to his back and forced him to apologise to his mother.

Mr Taylor offered Sales some protein bars for free so he could leave, but the Maryborough man demanded all the boxes from his car.

“(Otherwise) he would hunt him and his family down and put them in the ground,” the court previously heard.

Mr Taylor unpacked $280 of product on the front porch and left the scene, reporting the incident to police.

The following day police attended and found the protein bar boxes, a small stash of cannabis, three shotgun shells and the taser.

Sales claimed he was offered the free boxes as compensation for overcharging him.

On Friday, the court heard the offending was consistent with a psychotic relapse and Sales had a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder.

Maryborough man Christian Sales, 43, was in the midst of a psychotic episode when he robbed his delivery guy in October 2020. Picture: Facebook

Judge Bourke said ordinarily he would impose imprisonment for this “objectively serious” offending, but had been “persuaded” by moderating factors including his remorse and mental illness.

Sales was sentenced to 70 days prison as time served and ordered to complete a two and a half year community corrections order with 300 hours of community service.

“Mental illness likely had a significant impact on you during the offending,” Judge Bourke said.

“Given your past relapses rehabilitation is not guaranteed but should you comply you will benefit from engaging with this order.”