An armed heroin user who robbed multiple pubs has been sentenced, and two teens arrested over assault and auto theft of an employee, after a series of incidents in the Newcastle region.
Appearing before Newcastle District Court, it was reported that Jesse Nikolovski had been using heroin at a “significant rate” when he robbed or attempted to rob multiple pubs, using stolen cash to play pokies and buy a car.
He is said to have approached a female employee, armed with a kitchen knife, while she was closing up at a pub in Waratah, in early July 2022. The 30-year-old demanded she let him in and unlock the safes, also saying he didn’t want to hurt her and eventually fleeing when she could not get back in.
Less than a week later, he confronted a pub employee as they locked up in the early hours of the morning at a pub in Hamilton, again armed and demanding to be let back in, but this time threatening he would “kill” the man if he did not comply and stealing more than $43k.
Later the same day he is believed to have spent a lot of his gains playing EGMs, and a few days later purchased a black Mercedes for $12k.
In August he hit another Newcastle pub, threatening two more employees as they locked up, warning them they must disable the alarm and don’t try any rouses, as he’s “got a gun and a knife”.
He did however apologise to the two victims, escaping with over $36k and heading to another hotel to play more gaming machines.
A heavily-armed contingent of police surrounded Nikolovski’s residence a couple of days later, and after a short standoff he was arrested and charged.
At his first court mention he pleaded not guilty, and the case was set for trial, but shortly before the trial date he decided to change his position, pleading guilty to two counts of armed robbery with an offensive weapon, one charge of attempted robbery, and two charges of knowingly using the proceeds of crime.
In Court last week, it was noted the defendant was on parole, and had a lengthy record including a history of violent behaviour. The Crown prosecutor suggested there had been some planning in the crimes, but that it wasn’t sophisticated.
Taking the guilty pleas into account, Judge Roy Ellis sentenced Nikolovski to seven years, with non-parole period of four years, making him eligible for release at the end of 2026.
Meanwhile, officers were called to a pub in Raymond Terrace this month, where they were told two young men had been caught stealing alcohol from behind the bar.
A 38-year-old staffer approached the pair, and was allegedly punched multiple times, before they took his keys and escaped in his car – a silver 2011 Mazda 2.
The employee was treated for minor injuries to his face, and police from Port Stephens and Hunter precincts established a crime scene and processed for forensic evidence.
Around 9pm the following day the car was spotted in Heatherbrae. Officers pursued it for nearly 15 kilometres, to Campvale, before the occupants were arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.
The driver was a 16-year-old, charged with aggravated break and enter dwelling in company to steal; assault occasioning actual bodily harm; take and drive conveyance without consent of owner; and police pursuit driving at speed without stopping.
His passenger was a 13-year-old, who was charged with being carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
Both boys were refused bail to appear later at a children’s court.
