Tablelands man, Ervin Oscar James, 31, sentenced for armed robbery, assaults
A 31-year-old father threatened to shoot a man, slapped another and broke a New Zealander’s nose during a robbery and assault rampage in Far North Queensland, a court has heard.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A 31-year-old father threatened to shoot a man, slapped another and broke a New Zealander’s nose during a robbery and assault rampage in Far North Queensland, a court has heard.
Ervin Oscar James pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery in company, and two counts of assault as he was sentenced in Cairns District Court after he terrorised a caravan park full of international workers in Mareeba.
James also pleaded guilty to another charge of robbery in company for another incident less than two weeks later when he robbed a man in a park with five other men.
Crown prosecutor Kurt McDonald told the court James was a “seasoned campaigner” with a 12 page criminal history.
The court heard James was wandering around the Riverside caravan park in Mareeba where he entered a Japanese man’s tent telling him he had drugs to sell.
“The defendant threatened him and told him he had a firearm in his bag,” Mr McDonald said.
“To put a stop to the interaction the man said he would buy $10 of cannabis off him so he would leave him alone.
“He made the man open up his banking app and the defendant took hold of the phone and transferred $200 into his personal account.”
On the way out of the tent and out of the caravan park James slapped another man from France and also struck a New Zealand man, breaking his nose.
“On the way out he was making threats to shoot them at this point he was chased out of the park by the residents leaving his bag behind.”
In the second incident James was drinking in a park in Mareeba with five other men and sat with a man they did not know taking a photo with him.
“The defendant has kicked the man in the back of the legs and took his wallet out of his shorts, passing it around his friends before pretending to give the wallet back before fleeing on bicycles.”
The wallet contained $450 and bank cards.
James’ Defence Counsel James Sheridan told the court although he had an unenviable criminal history, he was truly sorry for his behaviour.
Mr Sheridan said James’ criminal history began with the use of meth in his early 20s following the death of people in his family.
“While it is not an excuse it explains his offending, he was in a drug induced stupor at the time,” he said.
Judge Burnett said he had to weigh up the risk to the community if he could not kick the drug habit.
“These are bizarre offences perhaps explained by his intoxication, so community protection becomes an issue here.”
James was sentenced to four and a half years jail with a parole eligibility date of May 15, 2025.
More Coverage
Originally published as Tablelands man, Ervin Oscar James, 31, sentenced for armed robbery, assaults
School issues alert after man chases, lures students
A school in Far North Queensland is on high alert following reports a man chased students and attempting to lure them into his car.
‘Grabbed his dogs and ran’: Airbnb guest lucky to escape house fire
A Cairns Airbnb guest was lucky to escape a blaze with his two dogs unscathed after a home was completely gutted by fire, believed be caused by a phone charger. Watch the video.