Four Years For Hold-up

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday February 14, 2007

By LAUREL-LEE RODERICK

DRUG addict Terry Allan Costa was "hanging out for heroin" when he decided to hold up the Coniston Newsagency, a court has heard.

Costa, 54, was sentenced to a maximum of four years in jail on an attempted armed robbery charge.

A 58-year-old woman was working in the Gladstone Ave shop when Costa went in on July 14, last year to look at a magazine.

He returned 30 minutes later and handed the woman a backpack, telling her to "fill it up", while producing a small silver pen gun.

The retailer began screaming and Costa fled empty-handed.

Capsicum spray was used by police to apprehend him at Wollongong Cemetery.

A police brief of evidence tendered to Wollongong District Court said the Warrawong man was "hanging out for heroin" and went to ask for money.

He told police the decision to rob the newsagency was "spur of the moment", even though he had worn a wig during the attempted hold-up.

Costa, of Bent St, was ordered to serve at least 21/2 years before he will be eligible for parole.