A MAN who was involved in an armed robbery in Bendigo has been released on a two-year community corrections order.
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John Hannis Bartels, 25, was sentenced in the County Court on Friday after he pleaded guilty to charges of armed robbery and possessing a drug of dependence.
Court documents released to the Bendigo Advertiser said in the early hours of February 18, 2020, Bartels and two co-accused met up with the victims in Marong for a drug deal.
When the two victims arrived in their white Holden utility, Bartels entered the car and told the victims to drive to the Queen Elizabeth Oval.
About two hours later, Bartels' two co-accused arrived wearing face coverings and carrying a tomahawk and a knife.
The pair used the weapons to smash the car windows as they yelled at the victims to get out of the car.
When one of the victims tried to drive off, Bartels pulled the handbrake on and told them to "shut up".
One of the co-accused then took the car keys out of the ignition.
The victims begged the offenders to stop and Bartels responded, "sorry, but I have to otherwise I will get killed".
Bartels also gave one of the victims two cigarettes and told her not to tell the police.
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The victims got out of the car and Bartels drove the white ute away from the scene.
Bartels was arrested at his Epsom home later that morning. He had a small amount of methamphetamine in his possession.
Bartels admitted to knowing the plan to steal the white ute, but told officers he had been forced to participate by the two co-accused.
Judge Michael Cahill convicted and sentenced Bartels to 546 days in jail, which were reckoned as already served.
The 25-year-old was also sentenced to a two-year community corrections order with conditions of supervision, drug rehabilitation programs, and mental health treatment.
Bartels was also convicted and fined $200 for the drug possession charge.
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Tara Cosoleto
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
