Zion Rewha, 21, was on the run from police when he called his brother, Karlin Rewha-Clark, 19, to tell him he was in trouble.
The Townsville Magistrates Court heard that on July 27 last year, Zion failed to stop for police in Hermit Park speeding off and running a red light.
Karlin arrived at Zion’s house and they decided to travel south on the Bruce Highway but realised they had no money to fund their escapade.
The court heard the two men stopped at the United service station at Horseshoe Lagoon on the Bruce Highway in the early hours of the morning on July 28.
Crown prosecutor Aaron Dunkerton told the court the pair stormed the shop with clothes covering their faces. The court heard the men jumped over the counter and demanded the attendant give them money.
As Karlin held a knife to the victim’s throat, Zion grabbed a bread knife from the kitchen and also held that knife to the victim’s throat.
The court heard Zion punched the service station attendant in the face three or four times. The duo stole $379 from the service station.
The court heard the men were found 5km down the highway by police after they crashed their car and blew out their back left tyre.
A police search of the men found the bread knife used in the attack down Zion’s pants and Karlin was found with 5.5g of cannabis in his bag.
The court heard police found Zion’s fingerprint on the shop’s glass counter and Karlin’s Adidas shoe print at the scene.
Zion pleaded guilty to four charges including one count of robbery with actual violence armed in company and one count of evasion offence.
Karlin pleaded guilty to two charges including robbery with actual violence armed in company and one count of possessing dangerous drugs.
Defence barrister for Zion, Travis Schmitt said his client was “heavily intoxicated” and had consumed cannabis before the robbery. He said Zion had never been out of work and was supported in court by his family and employer.
Defence barrister for Karlin, Harvey Walters presented to the court a letter of apology written by his client and said his partner was due to give birth to their first child in four days.
Mr Walters said Karlin had been drinking at a party before the offence and decided to go with his brother to support him in his future endeavours.
Judge Gregory Lynham declared the 59 days spent in pre-sentence custody and sentenced Karlin to three-and-a-half years’ jail suspended after eight months with an operational period of four years.
Judge Lynham declared the one day spent in pre-sentence custody and sentenced Zion to three-and-a-half years’ jail suspended after eight months with an operational period of four years.
Convictions were recorded.
Extracted in full from: https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/zion-rewha-and-karlin-rewhaclark-storm-horseshoe-lagoon-service-station-in-terrifying-knifepoint-attack/news-story/397e2d3fc670d7915c5a1f4040f106d0
