A 28-year-old man who pointed an imitation gun at four international students and stole their car in darkness at Lerderderg Gorge has been sentenced.
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Michael Shalders faced the County Court of Victoria on Tuesday and was told he will spend at least the next year-and-a-half in jail.
Judge Martine Marich said the armed robbery and attempted armed robbery was 'deeply traumatic' for the four victims.
One victim, who had the imitation gun pointed at his forehead, told the court through a victim impact statement he now felt threatened when approached by strangers.
He said he did not know who to trust and struggled to sleep, eat and concentrate on study as he continued to replay the 'terrifying' event in his mind.
It will have lasting effects on the victims
- Judge Martine Marich
The court heard Shalders was dropped at Lerderderg Gorge by a friend on May 21, 2018 where he intended to purchase drugs from his dealer.
Shalders watched the four students as they left their car and went for a walk. The drug dealer did not turn up and Shalders approached the students when they returned from their walk about 6pm.
The court heard Shalders pointed an imitation firearm at the students and demanded they hand over the keys to the car and their mobile phones, before pointing the gun against one of the victims' forehead.
Shalders drove away erratically in the victim's car, leaving the students at the remote location.
The students fled into the bushland around the carpark in fear, called triple zero and asked for help.
The court heard Shalders was on bail at the time of the offences.
He pleaded guilty to seven charges, including one charge of armed robbery, three charges of attempted armed robbery, one charge of theft and one charge of committing the offences while on bail.
The court heard Shalders was 26 at the time of the offending and was a diesel mechanic but had been unemployed for six months due to escalating drug use.
Judge Marich said she had received a large number of references from Shalder's family and friends explaining how his drug use had been a 'slow spiral out of control'.
In her sentencing remarks, Judge Marich said the offending showed 'grave' and 'serious' features as it was committed at a relatively remote location, when the sun was set, Shalders did not know the victims and had an imitation firearm.
"It may have been an impulsive and drug affected decision to take advantage of the situation in a most serious and terrifying way, but it will have lasting effects on the victims," she said.
"You were on bail at the time, you have a prior matter for a threat to inflict serious injury. This offending represents a very serious escalation in your offending when compared to your criminal history."
Judge Marich said she noted Shalders' expression of a strong motivation to stay off drugs and stay out of trouble, his engagement in employment and courses in prison, his expression of remorse and the support of his family.
Shalders was sentenced to a total effective sentence of five years and six months imprisonment with a minimum three years and six months to be served before he is eligible for parole.
He has served almost one year and 10 months in pre-sentence detention.
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