Warrnambool knife-wielder ‘only joking’

Andrew Jennings, 26, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court and was sentenced to time he had already spent in custody on remand. 

Lawyer Amanda Chambers said Jennings had diagnosed schizophrenia and very few supports outside of prison. 

She said it was her client's fourth time in custody, often being released with nowhere to go and self-medicating with illicit drugs. 

Jennings told the court that if released he would live with his father.

Magistrate Ann McGarvie encouraged Jennings to keep using his medication, stating that it made him a "much nicer person". 

"When you (take your medication) you don't commit offences and you won't be locked up," she said. 

On November 22 Jennings attended a bottle shop on Warrnambool’s Gateway Road at 2.45pm and stole a six pack of Jim Beam cans. 

Then at 6.30pm he was observed by two victims, aged 16 and 17, walking on McGregors Road.

The victims said they observed the man holding a butcher’s knife in his left hand. 

Jennings asked them for a cigarette. 

The victims said they believed they had no option but to offer him their pouch of tobacco.

Jennings began rolling a cigarette. The victims said they felt uneasy and intimidated. They said Jennings asked if they wanted to be robbed before pointing the knife at them.

The victims ran away and Jennings called out to them, stating he was “only joking”. 

He then gestured for them to come back and then returned their pouch of tobacco.

Police said the victims believed the accused was drug affected. They said they were terrified and thought they were going to be robbed or seriously injured. 

Jennings was arrested on McGregors Road about 9.30pm that night.

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