Frightening dilemma turns Launceston father into unwilling accessory to armed robbery

A Launceston father of two unwillfully became an accessory to armed robbery when he faced a frightening dilemma. He fronted court recently to hear his punishment.

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A LAUNCESTON father who became an accessory to armed robbery out of fear has avoided prison time after being sentenced in the Supreme Court in Launceston on Wednesday.

Scott Dean Radin, 39, pleaded guilty to being accessory after the fact to armed robbery, making a false declaration to police and being in possession of stolen property.

The court heard Mr Radin agreed to drive Nadine Bryan and a friend of hers he had not met from the Motor Inn in South Launceston into the CBD about 10.30pm on December 6, 2018.

At the request of Ms Bryan’s friend, Radin drove to the Morty’s Food Court complex and parked.

The male passenger exited the back seat and went into the BP service station and returned a short while later carrying a plastic bag.

Justice Robert Pearce said it was unknown to Radin at the time that his passenger had taken a .22 calibre rifle into the store under his coat, used it to threaten the shop attendant and made off with $650 worth of cash and cigarettes.

Launceston Supreme Court.

It was only when the man was back in the car seated behind him that Radin realised he had a gun and had just used it to commit an armed robbery, Justice Pearce said.

At the alleged robber’s request, Radin drove him back to South Launceston and by doing so, became an accessory to the crime.

“When you arrived back at the Motor Inn you were given several packets of cigarettes, which by then you knew were stolen,” Justice Pearce said.

Police quickly established the presence of Radin’s car at the scene and spoke to him the following morning.

The court heard Radin made a statutory declaration saying he had no knowledge of the robbery and lying about the whereabouts of himself and his car at the time.

He gave a truthful account of what happened later that afternoon when police spoke to him again.

Justice Pearce said he accepted submissions that Radin faced the dilemma of whether to confront an armed stranger or comply with what he asked until he could get him out of the car.

“Concern for your own safety and the safety of your children, along with a wish to avoid a false accusation of greater involvement, also contributed to your decision to give a false account to the police.”

Radin was convicted on each count and sentenced to three months imprisonment wholly suspended for 18 months, a community corrections order including 70 hours of community service, a $300 fine and was ordered to pay compensation to BP.

Justice Pearce said it was a mitigating factor that Radin agreed to give evidence at the trial of the alleged armed robber, which prosecutors accepted would be of importance.

If Radin fails to assist, he may face two months of actual imprisonment and four months wholly suspended.