A Canberra teenager will spend at least two-and-a-half years in jail after a covert police sting foiled his spree of armed robberies using phone taps, DNA evidence and Facebook photos showing the offender posing with a key piece of evidence.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
William John Callan, 19, was yesterday sentenced to five years jail with a non-parole period of two-and-a-half years for four armed hold-ups over a six-month period last year.
Lochlan Hinder, 20, and Benjamin Thomas Joyce, 19, were also sentenced for their attempt to rob the Burns Club with Callan in Kambah late last year.
Callan first struck the IGA in Lyons in June, but the hold-up went awry when he realised one of supermarket staff was a long-time acquaintance. The court heard yesterday that Callan warned his accomplice when he realised his mistake, shouting ''oh shit, nah, nah'' and ''let's go, come on, let's go'', before fleeing on foot.
The botched hold-up did not deter Callan, who struck again at the Woden Tradies in August - using a gun and a knife - and the Coles supermarket in Curtin in November, taking more than $16,000.
Police put a stop to Callan's spree using CCTV footage, DNA extracted from dumped clothing, and prints found at a crime scene, on a cigarette lighter, a sock, and on discarded weapons.
Police also discovered a photo on Callan's unsecured Facebook page, showing him posing next to the revolver used in a robbery.
Detectives set up a tap on Callan's phone, and followed him covertly as he, along with Joyce and Hinder, cased out the Burns Club in Kambah. Police set a trap for the trio when they attempted to rob the Burns Club in early December.
Callan, Hinder and Joyce tried to gain entry into the Burns Club on December 8, dressed in disposable overalls, hooded masks and gardening gloves, and armed with a knife, a hatchet, and a meat cleaver.
The club's staff were tipped off and its doors were locked before the three masked teenagers arrived.
Armed police swooped on the offenders, and two others who were allegedly keeping a lookout nearby, and took them into custody.
Callan pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of attempted aggravated robbery.
Supreme Court Justice John Burns sentenced Callan to five years jail, but he will be eligible for parole in June 2014. In sentencing Callan, Justice Burns noted the boy's good criminal record, his guilty plea, and the continuing support from his family. He said Callan had ''reasonable prospects'' for rehabilitation.
Hinder, who was armed with a meat cleaver and 25 cable ties when police arrested him, was sentenced to 22 months jail. But the 20-year-old will be released on December 8 and put on a good behaviour order for three years.
Hinder was described as a regular user of methylamphetamine and cannabis, and had drunk alcohol since the age of 14.
Joyce was sentenced to 18 months jail, but was released on a good behaviour order.
