Five years and six months in prison – that was the verdict yesterday after the accused Daniel T. pleaded guilty in the jury courtroom of the Linz Regional Court.
On June 17, the masked 30-year-old stormed into the Lindenapotheke in Linz with a ceramic knife and demanded medication – such as Substitol – to alleviate the after-effects of his drug withdrawal. The young man, who first appeared in court in 2007 and has since had multiple convictions, said he never intended to hurt anyone. “The day before I went swimming and had my medication in my backpack. When I came back from swimming, the backpack was gone – and so was the medication,” said Daniel T., who has been in custody since the serious robbery.
When he could no longer physically endure the heroin withdrawal symptoms the following day and had not received any medication from the hospital either, T. came up with the idea of the robbery: masked with two FFP2 protective masks – one with slits – and with the 28 Centimeter long knife, he had also hidden a change of clothes on a street corner. “I didn’t really think about the consequences at the moment, I just wanted the medication,” said the accused.
“I wasn’t really scared, because I was sure he wouldn’t hurt me, he just asked for benzodiazepines,” judge Petra Fahrenberger read the testimony of an employee of the attacked pharmacy.
A “mild verdict”
The penalties for the aggravated robbery ranged from one to 20 years. After the main judges had discussed with the judges Fahrenberger and Karlinger, the verdict was five years and six months – there were mitigating circumstances for the confession. “It’s a light sentence considering your criminal record,” said Judge Fahrenberger. “Maybe prison will help me get off drugs, because that’s what I really want,” said T. in his closing words. (cape)
Source: Nachrichten
