Anthony Illaretti pleads guilty to armed robbery, recklessly causing injury

Anthony Illaretti, aged 37, will be sentenced in the County Court after he pleaded guilty to charges in the Magistrates' Court.

Court documents show Illaretti and a co-accused went to the shed of a Lockwood South property looking to buy drugs about 4.20pm on Friday July 31, 2020.

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The victim said he had no drugs available because he no longer sold drugs. At some point, Illaretti pulled out a small pocketknife with a blade of about four to five inches.

He threatened the victim with the knife, saying "Where's me money, you've got me money".

The victim said "I don't know what you're talking about". Illaretti continued threatening the victim and held the knife close to his face.

The victim said everything was kept in the house, and walked with Illaretti and his co-accused out of the shed.

In the house, the victim went to his bedroom to look for his wallet, and could hear Illaretti talking with his mother, the second victim. At some point, Illaretti told the woman her son owed him about $4500.

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The victim realised his wallet was in the car, and came back and said this to Illaretti, who then grabbed the keys, and walked out with the co-accused to check the car. The two victims followed.

The victim took $1200 from the centre console of the car and gave it to the offender and co-accused.

While they were distracted, the victim opened the boot of his car and grabbed a hatchet. He then started screaming at both men to get off his property.

Illaretti then grabbed the woman, while holding the knife.

He let go of her and moved towards the first victim still holding the knife. Illaretti then lunged with the knife to stab the first victim, who tried to block with his hand, but was stabbed in the left wrist.

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He dropped the hatchet and the offender stabbed him again in his left shoulder.

The offender and co-accused then got in their car and left.

Hospital notes confirmed the victim's stab wounds required four sutures each. Notes from follow-up consultations showed he suffered pain and swelling in his wrist and shoulder for several weeks after being stabbed.

Illiaretti also pleaded guilty to a charge of committing an indictable offence while on bail, and to unlawful assault.

Both these charges have been transferred to the County Court. Judge Marcus Dempsey adjourned the matter until September 7.

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