A man who snatched a $20 bill from a cashier at the Shopping Centre was today sentenced to one year behind bars.

Daquan Burgess, 25, of no known address, admitted to robbing Sharilyn Simons when he appeared in Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard that on January 18 Burgess followed a female customer around the store until she handed the money to the employee at checkout.

A struggle resulted between Burgess and the cashier and Burgess eventually left the store with the money, but was arrested a short time later.

Prosecutor Nicole Smith told magistrate Tyrone Chin that the community needs to be protected from people like Burgess, who impose fear or violence upon others.

She also highlighted that Burgess has previous convictions for similar offences.

She said: “Robbery is serious and should be met with time in prison, nothing else will do.”

Bruce Swan, representing Burgess, argued one year behind bars was too harsh for robbing someone of $20 and suggested a prison sentence of between two and four months.

Mr Chin also sentenced Burgess to one year probation once his prison term ends.

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