Robber's Resolve Pays Off

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday November 7, 2007

GR

HOURS after robbing a service station, gambling addict Andrey Demidov surrendered to police, saying he did not "want to be bad any more".

Demidov's resolve to make amends helped him to complete the rigorous 10-month Salvation Army Bridge rehabilitation program.

In a judgement that ended just before the Melbourne Cup yesterday, Judge Anthony Blackmore told Newcastle District Court Demidov had entered the rehabilitation program after the Newcastle West armed robbery last year. He said the program had completely changed Demidov's life and he no longer gambled or drank alcohol. This led to his no longer needing medication for depression.

Demidov had also been asked to return to the Bridge program as a volunteer to help other participants.

The judge said Demidov was a first offender. He said Demidov's frank admission of guilt to a robbery while he was suffering from a mental disorder, along with his rehabilitation, allowed for a non-full-time custody order.

Judge Blackmore sentenced Demidov to 21/2-years' weekend jail.

Demidov, 29, of Fowler Street, Hamilton South, pleaded guilty to robbing the service station while armed with a knife on November 23 last year.

Salvation Army chaplain Jim Burton said yesterday that Demidov was negative when he entered the program and was ashamed of what he had done.

© 2007 Newcastle Herald

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