Attempted knifepoint robber didn't know why victim was 'screaming and carrying on', court hears

A man who believed God wanted him to rob a woman will spend two years behind bars.

Michael Peacock, 52, pled guilty to a charge of aggravated robbery in August 2024 after being committed to the Supreme Court for trial.

In recently released sentencing remarks, ACT Supreme Court Justice Louise Taylor found a desire for cigarettes and cannabis drove the man.

In March this year, Peacock was walking along a Braddon footpath when he pulled a knife on a woman in an attempted robbery.

The victim ran away before falling to the ground and dropping her bag. While she got up and continued to run away, Peacock took her bag.

Three witnesses heard the woman’s shouts and came towards the scene.

Two of them approached the offender and confronted him, asking if he had tried to rob the woman.

“Mind your business,” Peacock said in response.

One of the men photographed Peacock on his phone. When the other man tried to grab him, Peacock pulled a knife and said, “I’ll get ya”, and told them to “f–k off” several times.

The third witness threw a brick from a nearby loading dock in the direction of the offender, who was then chased to a nearby car park by two of the three witnesses.

Peacock was ultimately arrested by police officers several days later in Turner.

Before the attempted robbery, Peacock had been making “less money than usual” by begging, meaning he was struggling to buy cannabis and cigarettes.

After his arrest, he told a forensic psychiatrist that this drove his offending, saying he goes “crazy” without tobacco.

A report from the forensic psychiatrist found that while Peacock was suffering from a mental impairment during the offending, he knew his behaviour was wrong.

“The offender’s hallucinations convinced him to forcibly obtain money and he believed God was telling him it was the right choice,” she said.

“Further, upon seeing the victim, the offender described experiencing what he believed to be involuntary bodily movements, which he interpreted as being a sign from God to rob her.”

Justice Taylor found Peacock displayed limited remorse for his offending, noting he said he didn’t know “why she was screaming and carrying on” because he had no intention of harming the woman.

He also told police that “nothing happened” and “God thought it was all good”.

During sentencing, Justice Taylor said the attempted robbery had affected the victim’s “perception of safety”.

“As a result of the offence, she suffers with anxiety and struggles with what were once simple tasks, such as going to the shops or walking in her neighbourhood,” she said.

“In situations where she used to feel safe, she now becomes nervous about the possibility of encountering someone who may pose a threat.”

Justice Taylor said Peacock had “demonstrated a willingness” to turn to criminal acts to get money for cannabis and tobacco since 2001.

“Given his frank commitment to substance abuse, undoubtedly contributing to the complicated nature of his treatment-resistant schizophrenia, the offender’s long-term rehabilitative prospects are limited,” she said.

“This highlights the need for the sentence to promote the protection of the community.”

On a charge of attempted aggravated robbery, Justice Taylor sentenced Peacock to 2 years, 4 months and 24 days imprisonment to 11 August 2026, backdated to account for time spent in custody. His non-parole period will finish on 18 September 2025.

She also recommended Peacock engage with community mental health services during his parole period.