Sunday, September 24, 2006

A Christchurch man who committed a "frenzy" of six knifepoint robberies over
six weeks was sent to jail for seven years yesterday. Murray Duglas Harris,
a 46-year-old with a previously unblemished record, had pleaded guilty in
Christchurch District Court and was sentenced yesterday by Judge Gary
MacAskill. Harris admitted robbing three service stations, a tavern, a
liquor store and a factory shop during what his counsel, Ruth Buddicom,
termed a frenzy of offending during a "brain explosion" when he was out of
control. Police arrested Harris on June 23 while he was holding up the
liquor store. After each of the robberies, which netted him about $3000,
Harris would deposit amounts into his TAB account and bank accounts. He
admitted to a long-standing gambling addiction and said after his arrest
that he was "relieved" his gambling problem had come to the surface and he
could address it properly. Ms Buddicom said Harris was ashamed and
remorseful, and now realised the impact of his serious offending on the
victims he had robbed and threatened.

AdvertisementAdvertisementShe said Harris was now motivated to address his
gambling problem.

Judge MacAskill said Harris' offending was out of character and
inexplicable.

The gravity and seriousness of the offences were aggravating features, as
was the effect on Harris' victims.

He had committed multiple offences within a short timeframe while using a
weapon and making threats to the staff of the premises he targeted.

"Your offending will have an impact on them for a long time to come."

During the robberies Harris had threatened to use the knife if his victims
did not hurry to fill the yellow shopping bag he carried with money.

Gambling had become a "personal disaster" for Harris and while it could go
somewhere toward explaining the offending it was certainly no excuse.

The judge noted Harris had held the same job for 25 years, had no previous
criminal record, was a productive member of the community and deserved
credit for his community contributions, particularly to the sport of soccer.

Judge MacAskill jailed Harris for seven years on one "lead charge" of
aggravated robbery and imposed four-year sentences on four other aggravated
robbery charges.

He imposed a two-year sentence for the attempted robbery when Harris was
caught by police in the liquor store. All sentences were concurrent.