Cyress Martin, an 18-year-old with a lengthy criminal record, has been sentenced to six years in prison for his role in a violent smash-and-grab robbery at a Michael Hill Jewellers store in Bayfair and an aggravated robbery of a Whakatāne dairy.
The court heard how Martin, armed with a knife, and his accomplices stole nearly $280,000 worth of jewellry, threatening staff and smashing cabinets.
In sentencing Martin this week, Judge Thomas Ingram said there was a need for a strong deterrent against such “endemic” crimes, noting Martin’s extensive history of offending and the failure of previous rehabilitation efforts. The judge highlighted the importance of protecting the community and deterring similar future crimes.
Martin’s lawyer, Rachael Adams, argued for leniency due to his young age and difficult background, including fetal alcohol syndrome and a troubled childhood.
Despite acknowledging the need for deterrence, Adams sought significant sentence reductions, pointing to Martin’s participation in a restorative justice conference and a “genuine flicker of acknowledgment” of his wrongdoing.
However, Judge Ingram maintained that a significant prison term was necessary, citing the continuous nature of Martin’s offenses and the high risk he posed to the public.
Image credit: Christian Gafenesch
Excellent! Get these losers off our streets.
That’s peanuts, he’ll be out in 2-3yrs. He should have got 10yrs non parole. Now THAT would send a message!