A gun-toting and knife-wielding thug who menaced retailers in a series of armed robberies across Ballarat has been sentenced to six years behind bars.
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Ricky Woods was living in Golden Point and abusing ice with his girlfriend in a relationship based around drugs when he turned to crime to fund his habit late last year, the County Court in Melbourne was told this week.
The young father launched a string of shocking attacks on retailers from October 17 until his arrest on November 13, terrorising staff in order to steal money and chase his next fix.
Stores that were targeted in thefts and robberies included Rebel Sports, Big W, Harris Scarfe, Pizza Hut, Myer, APCO and Cellarbrations.
One of the worst incidents was when Woods was with his girlfriend at a Pizza Hut outlet on November 3.
He suddenly put on a black mask before pointing a knife at a woman who was working behind a counter, shouting “just give me the money”.
Shaking, the woman handed over a cash register and called police as Woods ran away and left behind his distraught girlfriend, who burst into tears and was screaming.
Days later, he used a handgun to rob an APCO petrol station, yelling at a male staffer to “give me all your f*cking money” and “open the f*cking till” before fleeing on a bicycle.
But Woods was brought undone when eagle-eyed police officers recognised him from a wanted poster when he was walking past the Red Lion Hotel on Main Road on November 13.
He was arrested and hit with a slew of serious charges, including three counts of armed robbery and one count of being a prohibited person using a firearm.
In sentencing, Judge Sue Pullen questioned Woods’ prospects of rehabilitation given he went on the crime spree only months after being released from prison for other offences.
The court was told he was undertaking drug and alcohol programs in custody after being an “absolute idiot” and “returning to his old ways”.
“You have started on the road towards rehabilitation and that is to your credit, however, you are yet to be tested when back in the community,” Judge Pullen said.
“I remain concerned about the need to protect the community from you.”
The court also heard Woods had a traumatic childhood when living in foster care in South Australia and was remorseful for his actions.
However, Judge Pullen said a message of general deterrence must be sent to the community as she jailed him for six years and 14 days.
He will be eligible for parole in four years.
Many of the items Woods stole from the stores, including alcohol, perfume and flat screen TVs, have not been recovered.
