Crime spree: Burqa-clad junkie jailed over armed robberies
A YOUNG ice junkie who went on a crime spree and robbed a fast food store in a burqa has been jailed for three and a half years.
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AN YOUNG ice junkie who robbed a fast food store in a burqa has been jailed for three and a half years.
Felicity Chafer-Smith, 22, went on a crime spree over two days in August last year, robbing $500 from a Croydon Subway disguised in a burqa, attempting to rob a Traralgon jewellers with a crowbar and then robbing $600 from a Morwell service station.
She was arrested soon after the service station robbery while playing the pokies in Moe.
Despite her young age, County Court Judge Paul Grant jailed Chafer-Smith, 22, for three years and six months, saying he was concerned by her escalating offending.
Reports of the Subway robbery describe the disguise Chafer-Smith was wearing as a “burqa”, although Judge Grant said only that she had her face covered.
“You had your face covered, you demanded money from the Subway attendant. You produced a large kitchen knife,” Judge Grant said.
“Miss Chafer-Smith, this is serious offending. The first armed robbery was planned, you chose a soft target and you had armed yourself with a knife. You got away with $500.”
During the jewellery store robbery, Chafer-Smith threatened the owner with a crowbar and said:
“Okay lady, give us the till.”
Chafer-Smith is an Aboriginal woman with a criminal record.
She started using drugs at the age of 12 and has a history of relationships with much older men.
Judge Grant said she had been to 12 primary schools and then three high schools before dropping out altogether in Year Nine.
“You had an incredibly unsettled education,” Judge Grant noted
“Drug abuse has been a significant problem for you for many years,”
Chafer-Smith must serve at least two years in jail before being eligible for parole.