Geraldton sentencing: Justin Kenneth Mawer jailed for brothel robbery with kitchen knife

A man who held a knife to a woman’s throat and demanded money during an armed robbery in Geraldton has been jailed for five and a half years. Justin Kenneth Mawer re-appeared in the District Court on Friday, when the court was told the 25-year-old forced his way into a brothel on Eastern Road on September 9, 2019, just four days after he had been released from custody. He held a 20cm kitchen knife to a woman’s throat demanding those in the building hand over cash. After making “jabbing motions” towards another occupant of the property, Mawer made off with $700 and an Eftpos machine but was arrested nearby about five minutes later and charged with armed robbery and being armed to cause fear. Sentencing Mawer, Judge Troy found he targeted the building because he knew it was a brothel. “You knew that there would be money there,” he said. “It was obviously a cash business. “Unless Mr Mawer complies with treatment, there is a real danger that he will continue to commit violent offences. I regard Mr Mawer as a dangerous man.”