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Offender Databases Michael Ellen

Michael Shane Ellen

Alias

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Offences

Aggravated robbery and wounding with intent to injure in Christchurch in April 2006
Multiple other convictions for burglary etc

Victims

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Offender Affiliations

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Gang affiliations

none known

Age

unknown

Current Location

unknown

Parole/Release Dates

Sentenced to 5 years with parole eligibility after 20 months in July 2006

Background
Christchurch Press story 31/07/2006
A drug-addled dairy robber was attacked by the shopkeeper and responded by knifing him in the arm. The April 8 escapade has resulted in a sentence of five years jail for Michael Shane Ellen, who admitted charges of aggravated robbery and wounding with intent to injure in the Christchurch District Court. The type of offence has become prevalent in Christchurch, with 12 dairy robberies reported in the first four months this year. Judge Phil Moran said Ellen got on his bicycle, rode to a city dairy and entered disguised with a balaclava and brandishing a large kitchen knife. He confronted the shop owner and his wife and demanded cash, and the wife put money from the till into a pillowcase that Ellen handed over, while her partner emptied the safe.

However, as Ellen left, the owner struck him with a barstool, knocking him down and cutting his head, and as he got to his feet continued to strike him. Ellen stabbed the man in the arm with the knife, causing a deep wound that needed 12 stitches. He had to take a week off work, and lost $350 in the robbery. "You exposed yourself to 14 years imprisonment for $350. Why? Because you were off your face with drugs," the judge said. The robbery had a profound effect on the victims, who were now very wary of customers who looked suspicious. Ellen had a history of severe depression, and had abused drugs since he was a teenager.

Through all that he cared for his twin children, which said a lot for him as a father, the judge said. Ellen recognised drugs had ruined his life, and was remorseful and had apologised to the victims. However, as long as he remained involved with illicit drugs, he posed a risk to the community. The type of robbery was "flavour of the month" in Christchurch and it was necessary for the courts to take a strong line, the judge said. Prosecutor Zannah Johnston asked for a cumulative sentence on the two charges, with a starting point of up to six years. Lawyer Gerard Lynch accepted Ellen's guilty pleas were the only mitigating factor. Ellen's previous history included six convictions for burglary. The judge said he would not order reparation because it was a "forlorn hope

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Corrections and Additional Information
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