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Bank robber Sean Adrian O'Loughlin, whose getaway car had a flat battery and no petrol after one of two armed raids on Christchurch banks, was jailed for 12 years when he appeared in Christchurch District Court today.
O'Loughlin, 30, had pleaded guilty to 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.
But crown prosecutor Kathy Bell said O'Loughlin's offending showed preparations, with the use of a disguise and stealing cars for use as getaway vehicles.
Judge Bridget Mackintosh said 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.
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 ordered him to serve half his 12-year jail term before he is eligible for parole. She also disqualified him from driving for a year.
- NZPA
