A court has heard how Patrick Kiernan did not count on the quick-thinking actions of staff when he allegedly entered BP Katoomba intending to rob it while armed with a kitchen knife.
A young man who could face up to 20 years in jail if found guilty of an armed robbery at a Blue Mountains service station has faced court for the first time.
Patrick Orrin Kiernan, 29, of Katoomba, was charged with robbery armed with an offensive weapon last week over the alleged incident at the BP Service Station on the Great Western Highway, Katoomba, on January 7.
Police will allege Kiernan entered the service station at 10.45pm and approached Gulzar Muhammad at the counter.
He then allegedly pulled out a kitchen knife and used it to demand money from Mr Muhammad.
Mr Muhammad began to call police, at which time Mr Kiernan allegedly jumped over the counter and chased him outside while holding the knife.
Police will allege Mr Kiernan then fled the scene.
He was arrested at his residence on Pine St, Katoomba, last week before granting him bail to appear in Katoomba Local Court on Monday.
His bail conditions include reporting to Katoomba police every day, not to be in public while drunk or under the influence of drugs, not to go within 100m of BP in Katoomba, and not to leave his home between 8pm and 8am.
According to court documents, Mr Kiernan has recently faced a charge of assault in Victoria.
In court on Monday, Magistrate Leanne Robinson ordered a brief of evidence to be served on the defence and adjourned Kiernan’s matter to March 15.
She also varied Mr Kiernan’s bail to allow him to stay out of his home until 10pm one night a week.
Extracted from Daily Telegraph