Sevese Dominic Isaro sentenced in Townsville District Court for gel blaster hold up of service station after car theft spree

A teen who ‘wreaked havoc across Townsville’ in a 10-day crime spree, has faced court and been told he could waste his life away behind bars.

Sevese Dominic Isaro sentenced in Townsville District Court for gel blaster hold up of service station after car theft spree

A young man involved in a break and enter and car theft spree has fronted court after after he concluded the reckless string of crimes with a “traumatic” hold up of a Townsville service station.

Sevese Dominic Isaro appeared in Townsville District Court on Friday morning, supported by his family sitting at the back of the courtroom.

The 19-year-old who had already spent 441 days behind bars fronted court after he entered a Coles Express service station on March 17 last year, wearing a bandana to disguise himself and armed with a gel blaster that resembled a handgun.

Crown prosecutor Mr McCosker said the servo hold up had been at the conclusion of the teen’s crime spree, and a stolen red Nissan X Trail was used to drive Isaro and his partner to the scene of the crime.

“(He) placed the gun on the counter and said ‘Give me your cash’, the operator tried to press the duress button,” the crown said.

He told the court that before the operator could close the till she had been counting money from, Isaro’s partner stuck his knife in the drawer to stop it, before Isaro pointed the gel blaster towards the operator to gain entry into the back of the service area.

The teen stole $382.10 worth of cash and $1,338.50 worth of cigarettes.

Prior to the hold up, the court was told Isaro broke into a string of homes in Mount Louisa, Mundingburra, Idalia, Oonoonba, Annandale, Condon, Bushland Beach, Aitkenvale, Mount Low and Kirwan.

He was involved in the stealing of eight cars, and stole fuel to fill them up before eventually abandoning the vehicles.

Police officers were able to identify the teen by analyzing fingerprints on the stolen vehicles.

A Gel Blaster gun, generic

In total, Mr McCosker said there was $2449.82 worth of property damaged over the course of Isaro’s crime spree.

Isaro’s defence barrister who was instructed by Legal Aid Queensland provided context to the teen’s upbringing and shared it was “difficult” due to the death of his father, grandfather and several close friends who died in a sudden car accident which resulted in the young man turning to methamphetamine.

“Drugs were at the centre of the present offending, he was motivated by the desire to obtain more drugs,” she said.

“He has done some work in the kitchen prison, it’s been a difficult time for him as he moved Townsville Correctional Centre to Capricornia and has been unable to maintain contact with family.”

Judge Gregory Lynham labeled the man’s offending as “unquestionably serious”.

“You were stealing vehicles from the hardworking citizens of Townsville and using them to commit other offences, it’s reprehensible conduct and you should be utterly ashamed of yourself,” His Honour said.

He acknowledged the man had “wreaked havoc across Townsville” and said the armed robbery at the service station would have been “traumatic” for the operators involved.

“You’re going down a very dangerous path, soon you will be 40 and say ‘I’ve squandered my life away’,” Judge Lynham declared.

Isaro pleaded guilty to 27 charges including armed robbery in company, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, entering premises with intent, attempted enter premises and stealing.

He was sentenced to four years’ jail with a parole eligibility date of July 16, as His Honour declared the 441 days spent in pre-sentence custody as time served.

Originally published as Sevese Dominic Isaro sentenced in Townsville District Court for gel blaster hold up of service station after car theft spree