By Alesha Capone
A man who pleaded guilty to a charge of armed robbery has been sentenced to six months’ jail.
However, after already serving 177 days in pre-sentence detention awaiting his trial, he will not serve any additional time behind bars.
Ryal Yak, 23, was sentenced in the County Court on July 17, following a hearing on July 13.
County Court Judge Sarah Leighfield said that on January 22 this year, Yak and an unnamed female companion attended a service station in Wyndham Vale.
After gathering $165 worth of food and drinks, the female produced a knife and pointed it at the store attendant, demanding the items for free, the court hears.
The court also heard that after the female produced the knife, Yak pulled his jumper over his head in an attempt to conceal his identity.
Yak and the female ran from the store with the stolen items.
Judge Leighfield said she accepted that Yak had was unaware that his companion was in possession of a knife.
However, Judge Leighfield said that when police spotted Yak and the female in a group later that evening and asked them to stop, they ran away.
While being chased by police, Yak tripped and dropped a bag containing the stolen items and the knife.
The court heard Yak told police that he had been drinking on the day of the offence.
Judge Leighfield said she accepted Yak has good prospects of rehabilitation, due to his involvement with his family and sport.
The court heard that Yak has been playing football at a senior level with the Power House Amateur Football Club in the VAFA since 2016.
The court also heard that Yak often assisted his mother around the home and took his younger siblings to school.
Judge Leighfield said she accepted a neuropsychological assessment which had shown Yak has a “low average level of intellectual functioning and cognitive impairment” which might impact on his ability to comprehend information presented to him and to understand risk in social situations.
Judge Leighfield also sentenced Yak to a two-year community correction order and fined him $750.
