James Siaosi fronts court over multiple armed hold-ups

A bandit who terrorised small businesses using a replica gun across Melbourne’s western suburbs gave his wife the cash he stole from a brothel.

James Siaosi has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for terrorising businesses across Melbourne’s west using a rental car without its registration plates.

An ice addict who terrorised small businesses, including a brothel across Melbourne’s west during an armed hold-up crime spree has been jailed for five years.

James Siaosi robbed two businesses and attempted to rob another two within nine days in April this year using a rental car after removing its registration plates.

The 31-year-old horticulture worker from Point Cook fronted the County Court for sentencing on Tuesday after earlier pleading guilty to two charges of armed robbery, two of attempted armed robbery, three of using an imitation firearm and one of possession of cannabis.

Siaosi’s entered the Werribee South General Store on April 15 wearing a balaclava and armed with a metal pole

The store owner hid under the counter after Siaosi threatened him with the pole and demanded cash.

Her husband came from a room near the counter and grabbed Siaosi who ran out and drove away.

Meth addict James Siaosi bought ice after robbing businesses in Melbourne’s west.

Eight days later, Siaosi drove to the MacDonald’s at Hoppers Crossing about 3.30am and pointed a hand gun at a cashier and demanded money.

He left after the cashier locked the window and informed her manager.

About 30 minutes later, he drove to the Coles Express service station at Point Cook, pulled a gun out of his pocket and pointed to a female attendant.

Siaosi repeatedly said “give me the money” and fled with the cash drawer containing $194.

The attendant told police that she thought she was going to die and never see her baby again.

The next day, Siaosi went to Club 741 in Brooklyn and pointed a gun at an employee, giving $2375 he stole from the brothel to his partner for Mother’s Day.

A brothel is among businesses Point Cook man James Siaosi robbed during an armed hold-up crime spree.

Judge Amanda Chambers said Siaosi told police he was a drug addict and since his relapse, disapproval from his family and friends caused him to commit the offences.

Siaosi also told police that he had a drug debt and needed money to support his family after losing his house and car.

He told a psychologist that “Jail has saved my life. I am glad it happened. It got me clean”.

Judge Chambers said although there were no victim impact statements, Siaosi’s offending must have been extremely frightening for his victims, even where he fled before succeeding in his demand for money.

“People working in convenience stores or similar businesses are vulnerable to these kinds of violent criminal activity, particularly those working alone or late at night with no or minimal security and deserve to be protected by the law.”

She accepted that his offending was unsophisticated, of a short duration and were not accompanied by acts of physical violence but said Siaosi must have known that what he was doing was “very wrong”.

Siaosi will be eligible for parole in three years.