June 27, 2008

Bizarre bank robber gets 12-year term

By David Clarkson

There are 20 victims from the bizarre and unpredictable offending which has earned bank robber Sean Adrian O?Loughlin a 12-year prison sentence.

Sean Adrian O'Loughlin His two bank robberies weren?t very flash, but they got him money ? $13,850.

He armed himself with a hammer and a knife and disguised himself with a hoodie and balaclava.

But at one robbery his stolen getaway car had a flat battery and no petrol and he had to make his escape on foot ? with someone giving chase ? when he couldn?t get it started.

Judge Bridget Mackintosh jailed the 30-year-old when he appeared for sentence in the Christchurch District Court today on four charges of unlawfully taking cars, two armed robberies, two counts of intentional damage, intentionally wounding a man, and reckless driving.

Defence counsel Gerald Lascelles said O?Loughlin was an enigma, who was polite and considerate but had episodes of irrational behaviour which had ruined his life. He had been diagnosed as a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and after so much time in homes as a ward of the state, and in prison, he was in danger of becoming institutionalised.

His offending had ?verged on the bizarre?, he said. O?Loughlin had now reached a point in his life where he realised the futility of further offending.

But crown prosecutor Kathy Bell said there was no evidence O?Loughlin had reached any turning point in his life. His offending showed preparations, with the use of a disguise and stealing cars for use as getaway vehicles.

Judge Mackintosh said she had read 20 victim impact reports prepared for the sentencing.

O?Loughlin went into a BNZ in Cashel Street at 11.30am, disguised with a balaclava and holding a hammer and a knife. He yelled at the tellers, demanding money, and was given $9050 in a shopping bag. When he could not get the getaway car started he ran off with the money in a backpack.

In an incident at a holiday park, he damaged a car and when a resident at the park ? apparently a friend of O?Loughlin?s ? approached him about what was happening, he stabbed the man in the leg with a knife and a screwdriver. The man got 9cm and 4cm cuts.

O?Loughlin also damaged a police car by ramming it as he left. It was near the camp?s entranceway while it attended another incident.

He then robbed the St Martins Westpac bank, getting $4800.

His stolen vehicle was later sighted outside a dairy and O?Loughlin ? wearing a wig ? made a high speed getaway attempt, ramming another police car in the process.

He was brought to a stop when the police performed a moving block manoeuvre with other vehicles in Barrington Street.

Police found $1060 in the car and the judge ordered that it be returned to Westpac.

She referred to the effects on the victims of O?Loughlin?s out-of-control behaviour. He had ADHD and had been using drugs and alcohol since he was young. He had a history of depression.

O?Loughlin had grown up in Australia but had been deported from there in 2004 after serving three prison terms. He had served a further term in New Zealand.

Judge Mackintosh jailed him for 12 years and ordered that he serve half the term before he is eligible to be considered for parole. She also disqualified him from driving for a year. He had pleaded guilty to all the charges.