A known crook involved in the violent robbery of three young people in which one was pushed in front of an oncoming car has been jailed.
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Jake James McEwan had been released from jail only two days before the robberies took place.
Albury Local Court magistrate Rodney Brender this week sentenced the 23-year-old to 12 months’ jail, with a non-parole period of nine months.
He will be released on March 20.
McEwan pleaded guilty to two counts of demand property in company with menaces with intent to steal.
Four other charges against McEwan, who has been in custody since June 22 over the incident, were withdrawn.
Defence solicitor David Rofe said that while McEwan admitted his involvement, the objective seriousness of what he did on the night was “very low”.
The ringleader of the three was the one who not only punched one victim but pushed another, a then 16-year-old boy, into the path of the car in Mate Street, North Albury.
The boy suffered serious injuries as a result of what police said was the “significant impact” of the car.
That included a fractured left knee, fractured left leg and abrasions to his hands and face.
His right leg was severely lacerated.
But Mr Rofe said McEwan, who police said had an “extensive criminal record in NSW”, was “just there” when these matters unfolded.
“He’s not the proper offender in either of the two scenarios,” he said.
Director of Public Prosecutions representative Aaron Thomas agreed.
“He’s one of the two people in the background,” Mr Thomas said.
The court was told the three victims – the other two were a girl, 14, and a woman, then 20 – were walking in Mate Street on June 11 about 8.45pm when they saw a group of three men, including McEwan, walking towards them.
One was carrying a large stick.
Once they got in front of a bakery near the intersection of Glenly Street, the main offender grabbed the girl in a bear hug and told her: “Give me your f … ing phone.”
She initially put it behind her back and refused, so he repeated the demand and she complied.
He then grabbed the boy and dragged him to a traffic island in the middle of the road, demanding his wallet and phone before pushing and punching him.
As this happened, the third offender grabbed the woman by the front of her T-shirt and punched her three or four times to the face.
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