Getaway driver jailed after robbery

File Photo / Warren Buckland

A man who drove the getaway car after the aggravated robbery of a car salesman has been sentenced to 30 months' jail.

Steven Britton, 33, appeared before Judge Greg Davis for sentencing in the Dargaville District Court last week after admitting his part in the aggravated robbery of a 29-year-old Auckland man.

The court heard that last December a car salesman had been lured to Dargaville to look at buying three Toyota vehicles. It was arranged he would bring the asking price of $7000 in cash.

The salesman picked up Britton's co-offender at a pre-arranged point near the Northern Wairoa bridge and was directed to a remote area in the Tangowahine Valley about 28km from Dargaville.

After being asked to pull over so Britton's co-offender could relieve himself, the salesman was confronted by the man, who pointed an airgun at his head and took the $7000 plus the salesman's cellphone and $100 of his personal cash.

The co-offender then ran down the road where Britton, who had followed the pair, picked him up.

Defence lawyer Wiremu Puriri argued Britton had not been involved in planning the robbery, was not party to the airgun being procured and was not privy to the details of the robbery.

"He was told to position himself at a certain point and to follow a certain vehicle when it went past," Mr Puriri said. "His plea was an acknowledgment of his involvement."

Mr Puriri said Britton, of Dargaville, was remorseful, had written three letters to the court indicating his remorse and had attempted restorative justice with the salesman.

Britton and his whanau had already paid $3500 as recognition of reparation and he had voluntarily undertaken drug and alcohol counselling.

Crown prosecutor David Stevens accepted Britton had played a lesser role in the offending, but said it was clear from texts between the two offenders the aggravated robbery had been premeditated, and Britton was aware of the airgun which had been purchased from a third party.

Judge Davis said he was prepared to accept Britton may not have known all the details in that he may not have known who the victim was, but he had known it was an aggravated robbery, had agreed to drive the getaway car and had also agreed a "faster vehicle" would be used.

"You knew a serious offence was to take place. Your involvement may have been less, but it was still significant," the judge told Britton.

"Prison is the appropriate outcome," Judge Davis said.

In sentencing, from a starting point of 46 months, he allowed a discount of six months for Britton's remorse and the steps taken to address the issues as well as a 25 per cent reduction for an early guilty plea. The 30-month sentence is subject to parole conditions.

He also directed a three-strike warning be given.

The judge thanked Britton whanau present in the court for their support and letters.

"I have been moved by them and you have had a significant impact on the reduction of the sentence," he said.