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Offender Databases Dwayne Grainger

Dwayne Robert Grainger

Alias

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Offences

Aggravated robbery of a New Plymouth pharmacy with a knife in October 2005
Also breached his release conditions and attempted to escape custody

Victims

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Offender Affiliations

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Gang affiliations

none known

Age

Born 1980

Current Location

unknown

Parole/Release Dates

Sentenced to 3 years 7 months in October 2005
Eligible for parole January 2007

Background
From Taranaki Daily News story here
Two men who hit New Plymouth pharmacies for drugs in separate incidents over the past few weeks appeared in the New Plymouth District Court yesterday.

Dwayne Robert Grainger (25) pleaded guilty to the aggravated robbery of Care Chemist on October 16. He also admitted breaching release conditions and attempting to escape from custody at his last court appearance on October 17. Crown prosecutor Hillary Ogier told the court that Grainger wielded a knife at two female pharmacists. He left with 1250 diazapam and nitrazapam tablets, 1023 of which were still unaccounted for, she said.

"The major concern for us is his unco-operative stance in finding the drugs," she said. "He told police he didn't care if a five-year-old found them and overdosed on them." Flanked by three police officers, Grainger was allowed to address the court, apologising to the pharmacy and his family for his actions. Grainger has a history of alcohol and drug abuse, as well as bipolar disorder since the age of 13, the court heard.

"I tried to get locked up a week before this happened at the hospital but got refused," he said, wiping tears from his eyes. "I'm truly sorry." Grainger told the court that the tablets had gone into the sea. Judge Louis Bidois said that although there had been premeditation, there had been no disguise or threats made and Grainger had told the women he did not want to hurt them.

"You were as polite as a robber can be," he said. Despite this, the two victims said their lives had been badly affected. One, who had been robbed before, said this had been the first time she really believed she would be hurt. The second woman said that up until now her life had been great and she loved her work, but now she did not feel safe. Both women described Grainger as agitated and desperate.

Ms Ogier said pharmacists were particularly vulnerable to attacks, and Judge Bidois agreed. "The need for deterrence is stronger given the upsurge in these offences nationally," he said. "What the community needs to know is that when people rob pharmacies like this, harsh penalties can be expected." Grainger was sentenced to three years and four months for the aggravated robbery, with a further three months for the escape attempt. On breaching his release conditions, Grainger was convicted and discharged.

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Corrections and Additional Information
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