A WAGGA man has been sentenced to a maximum of 20 months' jail for leaving two victims terrified after robbing them at knifepoint earlier this year.
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Ashmont's George Stoll, 24, appeared via video-link in Wagga Local Court on Friday after he was found guilty of larceny and being armed intending to commit an indictable act. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Court documents state that about 2am on March 20, Stoll and two other unknown offenders robbed the two victims at The Esplanade.
Stoll held a 30cm knife to the neck of one victim while taking another victim's wallet and Samsung Galaxy 6.
One victim was able to run off and flagged down police patrolling the city's centre at the time.
When police caught up with Stoll, he said "I'm walking to a mate's house" while breathing heavily and covered in sweat.
Police arrested Stoll after they found a pushbike nearby and a knife next to it. They also found a cover or scabbard that looked like it belonged to the knife.
"The way the items were strewn across the place, it looked like someone had thrown them away in a hurry," Constable Daniel Haslett said in his statement.
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In court, defence solicitor Laura Melhuish said that while Stoll's offences were aggravated by a weapon and committed in company, he had an intellectual disability that impacted his awareness of his actions.
"Mr Stoll wasn't fully aware of the consequences of his actions based on that cognitive impairment," Ms Melhuish said.
"Your Honour would also be aware that general deterrence be given less weight in a sentencing exercise when there is mental illness in the offender."
Ms Melhuish also said that Stoll had a difficult upbringing as he was raised by his grandparents and that he was introduced to illicit substances at about 12 years old.
She said there were good prospects of rehabilitation because he was "sick of this lifestyle of offending and being incarcerated".
Magistrate Christopher Halburd said there was no finding of remorse and that a message needed to be sent to the community.
"What you were found guilty of were very serious offences," Mr Halburd said.
"That use of the knife in those circumstances would've been absolutely terrifying for the victim."
"You've got a record that doesn't entitle you to any great leniency."
Mr Halburd said he accepted that Stoll has an intellectual disability and that he had a difficult upbringing. The police prosecutor was not heard.
With a non-parole period of nine months, Stoll will be eligible for early release on December 9 having already been in custody since March.