
A man who used a replica pistol to rob a Newcastle bottle shop in broad daylight - and did not try to hide his face despite a legal COVID-19 mask mandate at the time - has been sentenced to a maximum of two years and seven months in jail.
Shaquille Desouza, 24, faced Newcastle District Court on Monday via video link from Kempsey jail over the heist which took place just before 5pm on September 16, 2021.