JAMIE Stephen Thorley will remain in jail until late 2017 after being sentenced yesterday on three charges of robbery in company.
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Thorley, 32, appeared in the District Court at Albury over his involvement in robbing the Padman Store in West Albury on April 22 last year, a 7-Eleven store in Sydney on May 2 and the Springdale Heights bottle shop three days later.
He had been committed for sentence after pleading guilty last year to the three charges, along with two aggravated break and enter offences in company of Lavington houses.
Thorley was involved in the robberies with James Arthur Stevens, who last year was sentenced to a total term of 66 months with a non-parole period of 40 months by Judge Peter Whitford.
Solicitor Suryan Chandrasegaran yesterday tendered a hand-written letter from Thorley, expressing his remorse over the offences.
Judge Gordon Lerve said Thorley in the letter expressed he was sorry and apologised for what he had done.
“It came into existence only after I raised the issue of remorse,” Judge Lerve said.
“I am not prepared to give it any weight.”
Judge Lerve said a pre-sentence report indicated Thorley had a long history of illicit substance use and had using cannabis when aged 11 or 12.
He suffered from chronic schizophrenia and had a dysfunctional upbringing with his father serving a life sentence in jail.
Thorley was raised by his grandmother and had spent much of his adult life in jail.
Judge Lerve said there had been little planning in the offences and a report indicated Thorley was a high risk of re-offending.
There was little to distinguish between Thorley and Stevens.
“There is a substantial issue of parity in these matters,” Judge Lerve said.
“They both have records that do not entitle them to any particular leniency.”
Judge Lerve said an identical sentence should be imposed on Thorley.
His minimum term of three years and six months was backdated to May 6 last year when he was remanded in custody.
His earliest release date is November 5, 2017.