Cheltenham nang robbery: Billy Oaten used knife to steal nitrous oxide canisters from driver

They’re normally used to whip cream, but these nitrous oxide canisters are increasingly being used by partygoers seeking a quick high. And a cake equipment delivery driver in Cheltenham learnt the hard way.

Billy Oaten stole 250 cream chargers also known as “nangs”, similar to this brand, from a delivery driver. Picture: Toby Zerna

A drug user stole 250 “nangs” at knifepoint from a 24-hour baking emergency delivery driver.

The County Court heard Billy Oaten, 22, and another co-accused ordered the small nitrous oxide canisters via the internet from a company called Cake-emergency.

The cream chargers are generally used by bakers but have become a drug of choice by partygoers seeking a quick high.

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Oaten, 22, pleaded guilty last Wednesday to one count of armed robbery.

On April 6 last year, the pair walked from a Cheltenham home to another a short distance away to meet the Cake-emergency driver who arrived about 11.25pm.

Oaten, from Oakleigh South, got into a dispute with the driver over price and threatened him with a 20cm knife.

The metal fabricator told the driver to “just give me all of it”, the court heard.

Oaten put five boxes of Mosa cream chargers in a large green bag and left.

The driver, who was working his first shift for the company, told police he felt “nervous and scared” and “afraid they were going to hurt me”.

Recreational drug users enjoy the short-term high “nangs” provide. Picture: Toby Zerna

Police traced Oaten to his co-accused’s home the next day to discover the pair had already churned through two boxes of nangs.

Oaten, 21 at the time, was remorseful and made a full admission of guilt when interviewed.

He said he was drinking during the day and had used benzodiazepine.

He was also a regular user of Xanax and valium.

He told police the canisters could be used for baking but could also be inhaled.

Oaten’s lawyer said using the canisters for baking was “clearly not the purpose when supplied in those quantities”.

Judge Julie Condon accepted that Oaten had not intended to rob the driver.

“What you did was an immature and spontaneous reaction,” she said.

Oaten spent 17 days in custody which he said made him “worried and scared” as he “didn’t know what their (other prisoners) intentions were”.

He will be sentenced on March 28.

Nangs or cream chargers are generally used by cake makers but partygoers inhale them for a short burst of euphoria.

Cake-emergency delivers a range of cream chargers across Melbourne 24 hours a day.

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