Accomplished Tasmanian pianist whose life ‘spiralled out of control’ sentenced for armed robbery
The educated, intelligent and accomplished musician threatened a 22-year-old with a pair of scissors after his life “spiralled out of control” because of a dire drug problem.
The Launceston News
Don't miss out on the headlines from The Launceston News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
AN ACCOMPLISHED Tasmanian pianist whose life “spiralled out of control” due to illicit drug use has been sentenced for robbing a service station armed with a pair of scissors.
Simon Peter Frosi was sentenced in the Supreme Court in Launceston on Tuesday having pleaded guilty to armed robbery and resisting police.
Justice Robert Pearce said Frosi entered the Mood Food service station on Wellington St in Launceston on December 27 last year.
“You produced a pair of scissors which you pointed across the counter towards the 22-year-old male attendant working near the till and demanded that he give you money,” Justice Pearce said.
“More than once you threatened to come behind the counter if the attendant did not comply.”
The attendant gave Frosi $500 from the till in $50 notes which he took and walked off.
Justice Pearce said Frosi was not disguised and was easily recognisable from CCTV images.
Police found Frosi the next day in a house he had been squatting in and interviewed him at the police station.
He “fully admitted” the crime.
“You told the police that you were angry, that you had consumed alcohol and some cannabis, you were hungry and you had run out of money.
“However you used the money, you said, at least in part, to buy drugs.”
Justice Pearce said he had regard to a report from forensic psychiatrist Dr Michael Jordon who had seen Frosi while he was in prison.
The report said Frosi was an educated, intelligent man with a bachelor’s degree in music from the Tasmanian Conservatorium.
He was also awarded an Honours degree in music from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts at Edith Cowan University.
“You are an accomplished pianist. However, throughout your life you have exhibited signs of substance abuse, which, following your graduation, began to escalate,” Justice Pearce said.
“Some of your mental health issues derive from your perceived inability to successfully pursue a career in music.”
The court heard Frosi’s life “spiralled out of control” due to mental health problems combined with illicit drug use.
Justice Pearce said after turning to methylamphetamine and his life becoming “dire”, Frosi decided to commit offences towards the end of 2019 in the “misguided belief” it would enable the treatment he required.
MORE NEWS:
- Masked burglars hoped to find large quantity of cannabis but found guns instead
- Brett Julian Robinson-Stacey to be sentenced over 17-hour siege at Trevallyn
“You even attempted to steal a police car in the presence of the officers who were driving it.
“Most of your psychiatric issues relate back to substance abuse complicated by your sensitive and brittle personality.”
Justice Peace said the armed robbery was at the lesser end of the scale of seriousness.
“This was an unsophisticated enterprise committed in desperate circumstances.”
Justice Pearce said every armed robbery was serious because of the potential effect on victims, “who are often very badly affected”.
Justice Pearce convicted Frosi on both charges.
For the armed robbery he made a compensation order in favour of Mood Food and sentenced Frosi to two years imprisonment from December 27, 2019.
“I suspend one year of that sentence for 18 months from your release.”
Frosi will be eligible for parole at the end of June.
MORE NEWS:
Olympic golden girl heads home to recharge
The swimming sensation, Ariarne Titmus, made a splash in her hometown of Launceston this week visiting all of the city’s highlights. Here’s how you can meet her.
Is this the sweetest foodie opening of the year?
This recently opened family-friendly Northern cafe makes a sweet new addition to this business’s growing empire