Aaron Armstrong pleads guilty to attempted armed robbery of man’s pokies winnings at Alex Hotel

A lucky punter who won $4000 on the pokies at a Sunshine Coast pub has laughed at a wannabe robber who threatened him with a knife before fleeing the scene empty-handed.

Aaron Armstrong and Rylee Poland were both jailed after they tried to rob a man of his pokies winnings at the Alexandra Headlands Hotel. Picture: Google

A Wynnum father of two has been jailed for his harebrained role in an attempted robbery of a man’s pokies winnings at the Alexandra Headlands Hotel.

Maroochydore District Court heard how the victim initially “laughed” at Aaron Armstrong, 27, and his new friend Rylee Poland when the duo accosted him at the busy pub on the evening of November 24, 2022.

Crown prosecutor Nicola Hamilton told the court Armstrong and Mr Poland had left the venue and returned in slightly different clothing after seeing their 50-year-old victim’s $4000 pokies windfall.

Ms Hamilton said Armstrong, with a shirt wrapped around his head, grabbed the victim by the scruff of the neck.

With his “poor attempt at disguise”, he then pulled a knife and demanded the victim’s wallet.

But the victim pushed back causing Armstrong to fall backwards.

The court heard both Armstrong and Poland then fled the hotel with CCTV footage capturing the bizarre attack.

Armstrong faced Maroochydore District Court while in custody this week. Picture: David Clark

Ms Hamilton said Poland denied an interview with police when arrested but Armstrong made full admissions of the “stupid” act, saying the attempted robbery was fuelled by xanax and alcohol.

Poland was charged with attempted robbery in company while Armstrong was charged with attempted armed robbery.

Both men pleaded guilty to their single charges.

Poland was sentenced last year to 15 months’ jail with a parole release date of November 29, 2023, while Armstrong faced court this week represented by defence barrister Angus Edwards.

Mr Edwards said the Brisbane City Council truck driver and labourer showed early expressions of remorse and had only met Poland on the day of the attempted robbery.

The court heard how “amateurish and hopeless” their caper was, with the lucky punter “laughing” at Armstrong before he pushed him over twice and said “f--- off”.

“(The victim) wasn’t particularly concerned about the threat which (Armstrong) and Poland were offering him,” Mr Edwards said.

The barrister said Armstrong, who has been on remand since March, previously battled drug addiction and had a prejudicial upbringing. His stint in custody however was “good for him” as he could abstain from drugs.

Judge Glen Cash jailed Armstrong for 18 months for the “unthought out plan”, but declared 156 days in custody as time served.

He set a parole release date as of September 2.

Originally published as Aaron Armstrong pleads guilty to attempted armed robbery of man’s pokies winnings at Alex Hotel