An alcoholic who stole a car at knife point while on a bender triggered by a sip of wine at Holy Communion in church has been locked up for two and a half years.
Adam Alfred Taylor, 32, raided a Gold Coast takeaway restaurant and demanded a couple hand over the keys to their car while threatening them with a 30-centimetre kitchen knife.
The couple managed to rescue their bags and dog from the car, before Taylor escaped in the stolen vehicle, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported.
Taylor’s June 18 crime was called ‘brazen and opportunistic against unsuspecting members of the public’ when the case went to court on Tuesday
When he appeared at Southport District Court on Tuesday, the Judge heard Taylor had a long history with alcohol and drug abuse when he went to church and consumed wine at Holy Communion on June 18.
Taylor pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful use of a vehicle and unlawful entry of a vehicle whilst armed.
Barrister Sarah Thompson told the court Taylor continued to drink when he returned home from church that day – which lead to his decision to confront his ex-partner’s family over custody of his young daughter.
Taylor, 32, raided a Gold Coast takeaway restaurant and demanded a couple hand over the keys to their car while threatening them with a 30-centimetre kitchen knife
The couple managed to rescue their bags and dog from the car, before Taylor escaped in the stolen vehicle
The 32-year-old father did not physically hurt anyone during his June 18 rampage.
When the police intercepted Taylor he was ‘so intoxicated’ he was ‘unable to be interviewed’, the court heard on Tuesday.
He was found to be three times over the legal blood alcohol limit.
Crown Prosecutor Nicholas McGhee told the court on Tuesday Taylor’s offence was ‘serious’ and pushed for a three-year jail sentence.
When the police intercepted Taylor he was ‘so intoxicated’ he was ‘unable to be interviewed’, the court heard on Tuesday
The rampage was triggered by a sip of wine at Holy Communion, the court heard on Tuesday
‘It was brazen and opportunistic against unsuspecting members of the public,’ Mr McGhee said.
Taylor was sentenced to two and a half years behind bars but will be eligible for parole in seven months.
The court heard Taylor had a criminal history which included a previous armed robbery and drink driving offences.