By Ewen McRae
A man involved in an armed robbery in Sunshine last year has been sentenced in the County Court to five years jail.
Berihum Atsabaha, 26, was earlier found guilty of one charge of armed robbery and one charge of recklessly causing injury. He also pled guilty to a charge of theft of motor vehicle.
The court heard that on May 24, 2017, Mathew Kirschner went to the Altona Golf Club to play pokies and celebrate his birthday.
He won about $1000 and decided to try his luck again at the West End Hotel in McIntyre Road, Sunshine.
The court heard that Mr Kirschner was “reasonably drunk” when he arrived at the West End Hotel.
About 2am Mr Kirschner was approached by Atsabaha, who asked him if he would like to ‘score some ice’.
Mr Kirschner said he was not interested but when Atsabaha returned and persisted with his offer, Mr Kirschner asked if he had heroin, hoping this would make Atsabaha leave him alone.
Atsabaha said he did have heroin and the pair left the hotel together about 2.45am.
Atsabaha drove to a nearby house where he went inside for several minutes before returning to the car.
He then drove a couple of blocks before stopping again. At this point an unknown man jumped in the car in the seat behind Mr Kirschner and put something hard (believed to be a knife) on Mr Kirschner’s neck.
When the car stopped again several minutes later, Mr Kirschner hit the unknown man’s arm and jumped from the car but was unable to run because of recent leg surgery. Both Atsabaha and the unknown man chased him and threatening to stab him.
The court heard that Atsabaha hit Mr Kirschner across the legs causing him to fall on his back. In an ensuing struggle Mr Kirschner’s palm was cut by the knife.
Atsabaha and the unknown man went through Mr Kirschner’s pockets and stole car keys, a mobile phone and a wallet containing $800, before fleeing. Mr Kirschner’s car was later stolen.
Mr Kirschner required plastic surgery on his hand as a result of the injury.
Judge Liz Gaynor said Atsabaha’s “offending was clearly planned and deliberate”.
“It is clear that unfortunately your offending has had a grave effect upon Mr Kirschner … he said he’s constantly looking over his shoulder, has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and is on medication for depression, anxiety and panic attacks.”
Judge Gaynor sentenced Atsabaha to five years jail. He will serve a minimum of two years and six months before becoming eligible for parole.
