Man who threatened hotel employee sentenced for six months
A man who threatened to stab a hotel employee in the heart has been sentenced to almost six months’ jail.
Bendigo Magistrates Court heard that drug-affected Benjamin Snelson, 27, was holding a large knife at the time.
The court heard he entered the Borough Club in Eaglehawk on June 29 and began collecting cigarette butts from the smoking area. When he was questioned by a staff member, he pulled the 26-centimetre knife from his jeans.
The court was told he held it up in a "threatening manner" before telling the employee "next time this will be in your heart".
Snelson was apprehended by police shortly after the incident.
Prosecutor Senior Constable Cherree Blair told the court that the knife and a set of knuckle dusters were in his possession.
A victim impact statement was read out to the court.
"I just went to work on the day to do my job and not to have my life threatened," the statement read.
"I feel weak, emotional and sad. I feel sad that this has happened and affected me so much."
Defence lawyer Peter Cutting told the court the majority of Snelson’s crimes were tragic, “poverty offences”.
He said the he incident at the Borough Club was “terribly concerning”. He said his behaviour that night was triggered by the loss of a close friend, who was effectively acting as Snelson’s carer and that 12 months would be “like a life sentence” to his client.
Senior Constable Blair said he needed to spend time in jail.
“Mr Cutting used the word tragic, but what would be tragic is if he didn't spend enough time in jail to detox from drugs and was released and something devastating was to happen, that would be tragic,” Senior Constable Blair said.
Magistrate Sarah Leighfield sentenced Snelson to five months and 28 days in jail.
She said she hoped his mental health would stabilise while he was in custody.
Leon Gettler, 30th August 2018
