By Alesha Capone
A man who committed an aggravated burglary and assault at a Werribee pizza shop, and later threatened police with a hammer, has been sentenced to 12 months in jail.
However, the 360 days which the man has already spent in custody while awaiting a court hearing will count towards his overall sentence.
Jac Walls, 21, faced the County Court on June 25 and was sentenced on July 2.
Walls pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, common assault, recklessly causing injury, damaging property, two charges of unlawful assault, assaulting an emergency worker on duty and resisting an emergency worker on duty.
The court heard that on July 7 last year, Walls entered a Quarbing Street pizza store while four employees were present.
Judge Mark Dean said Walls punched one worker in the face, then punched another employee who came to their colleague’s aid.
One of the employees armed himself with a rolling pin, but Walls took it from the man and hit him with it.
“A further struggle occurred and you threw a chair in the direction of two other staff members and damaged the computer screen with the rolling pin, before leaving the shop,” Judge Dean said.
Walls stole a can of Coke from the store before fleeing.
“The following morning, police attended at your house to arrest you and you used a hammer to resist them and threatened them with it,” Judge Dean said.
Judge Dean said that at the time of the armed burglary, Walls had consumed a significant quantity of Xanax and alcohol.
Judge Dean said one of the men who was punched by Walls had submitted a victim impact statement to the court.
“I accept that your offending has had a traumatic effect on him and that he requires further treatment to correct an injury that you caused to his nose,” Judge Dean said.
Judge Dean said Walls had entered an early plea of guilty.
“I accept that it is evidence of genuine remorse by you for your offending and it has spared your victims the burden of giving evidence in this case,” he said.
Judge Dean also sentenced Walls to an 18-month community correction order.
