Mackay man Jacob Alan Miller pleads guilty to violent robbery of two 14yo boys

A Queensland mum is furious after the man who violently robbed her teen son while he was fishing avoided going back to jail. She says her son hasn’t been back fishing since.

Two Mackay parents are angry after watching Jacob Alan Miller who assaulted their young teen son on a fishing trip on the banks of the Pioneer River walk free from court. Picture: Michaela Harlow

A North Mackay mum is devastated after watching the man who assaulted her teen son during a violent robbery walk free, slamming the justice system as “not good enough”.

Since the terrifying incident on the banks of the Pioneer River late on June 24, 2023, his young victim – who was only 14 at the time – had not picked up a fishing rod.

“It’s absolutely heartbreaking … he lived and breathed fishing,” his mother said.

“I think he’s scared it’s going to happen again.”

She nor her son can be named for legal reasons.

The teen and a friend, also 14, had been camping overnight at Cremorne on a fishing adventure when they were approached by Jacob Alan Miller, who chatted to the pair late in the evening, commented on their possessions and even offered to buy a fishing knife, Mackay District Court heard.

Not long after the two teens went to their tent to sleep Miller had returned and was banging on their tent, ordering them to get out.

“You punched one of the boys in the face and demanded his watch and his phone,” Judge Vicki Loury said.

The court heard both boys handed over the property.

“It’s absolutely heartbreaking … he lived and breathed fishing,” Picture: Michaela Harlow

“There was another man who was rifling through the other belongings,” Judge Loury said.

“You threatened them to not tell the police and you stole a fishing knife and a pair of Nike slides.”

Not long after the two teens went to their tent to sleep Miller had returned and was banging on their tent, ordering them to get out. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Miller was arrested three days later still in possession of a watch and fishing knife he’d taken. He spent about nine months in custody on remand.

“You minimised your involvement it seems to me by stating that you were drunk and that a mate influenced you,” Judge Loury said.

“You said that the mate had stolen the property and that you only realised that afterwards.”

Now, 30, Miller pleaded guilty to robbery with personal violence and stealing from a person.

Jacob Alan Miller assaulted their young teen son on a fishing trip. Picture: Michaela Harlow

“It was an appalling thing to do to two young boys,” Judge Loury said.

The court heard while in custody he was working and Judge Loury said she was aware only model prisoners were allowed to work and take on team leader type duties.

He was jailed for two years with immediate parole.

“You threatened them to not tell the police and you stole a fishing knife and a pair of Nike slides.” Picture: Michaela Harlow

“They were 14 years old … I just can’t see the justice in what he got for that,” the teen’s mother, who sat in court for the sentence, said.

She had been asleep and had woken up to her son at the door at 5am, saying it had “freaked her out”.

“I’m actually quite angry.

Jacob Alan Miller walked free after court after he assaulted their young teen son. Picture: Michaela Harlow

“He only got the time served … he gets to go home to his family now and live his life.

“10 months on, we’re still dealing with his (my son’s) trauma”.

She shared that soon after the robbery her son, now 15, suffered nightmares.

“It’s still always in the back of his mind,” she said.

Originally published as Mackay man Jacob Alan Miller pleads guilty to violent robbery of two 14yo boys