Thomas Josiah Smith robbed Tugun Bowls Club while armed with knife

A robber using his beanie as a “disguise” threatened a staff member with a large knife while demanding cash, with the terrifying hold-up captured on CCTV. SEE THE VIDEO

A thongs-wearing robber threatened staff at a southern Gold Coast bowls club with a large knife before making off with thousands of dollars in cash.

Southport District Court was told Thomas Josiah Smith made an “amateurish” attempt at disguising himself with a beanie pulled down to his eyes when he targeted the Tugun Bowls Club just before 7pm on July 16 last year.

CCTV footage played in court showed Smith follow a male staff member into the bar area and pull a large stainless steel knife from the waistband of his pants.

Thomas Josiah Smith has pleaded guilty to robbing the Tugun Bowls Club while armed with a large knife. Picture: QPS

The 37-year-old demanded cash from all of the nearby registers – telling another two staff members not to move or he would “do something” – and pocketed close to $3000 before fleeing.

He denied the robbery when arrested at his home the next day, the court was told.

Crown prosecutor Kelli Lemass said Smith showed some level of premeditation in going home to retrieve the knife before returning to the club.

Smith made off with close to $3000 in cash. Picture: QPS

“The use of the knife was particularly menacing as it was directed towards the waist of the (staff member) and they were in close proximity to each other,” Ms Lemass said.

The court was told Smith had a history of mental health concerns including anxiety and depression, and was being treated by a psychiatrist at the time.

Defence barrister Martin Longhurst said his client was in poor mental health and experiencing symptoms of psychosis close to the robbery, which my have been linked to a change in his medication about two weeks prior.

“This is a man with no real proclivity to violence or aberrant behaviour like this,” Mr Longhurst said.

“Suddenly for the first time in his mature life … he finds himself aberrantly holding a knife (and is) somewhat gormless in the video footage,” Mr Longhurst said.

Smith pleaded guilty to armed robbery. His proceedings was adjourned part-heard to allow his defence team to obtain further expert medical material before a final sentence.

He remains on bail, with his case to return to court on October 3.

Originally published as Thomas Josiah Smith robbed Tugun Bowls Club while armed with knife