Harley Jackson: Man faces court accused of dousing convenience store worker with petrol, stealing tobacco

A 30-year-old man has faced court accused of dousing a Joondalup convenience store worker with petrol before stealing cigarettes and tobacco. Harley Michael Jackson appeared at Joondalup Magistrates Court last month charged with armed robbery and stealing. It was Mr Jackson’s first appearance in court for the charge, appearing under police custody the day after the alleged incident. Police said the incident occurred about 1.30pm on September 26 when Mr Jackson entered Joondalup Convenience Store on Grand Boulevard and requested cigarettes and tobacco pouches. He asked to hold the items before buying them but the worker told Mr Jackson he had to pay before being handed the products. Police said Mr Jackson demanded the items be handed to him and when the worker refused, he lent over the counter and squeezed petrol from a water bottle onto the worker’s torso. This prompted the worker to run to the back of the shop before it is alleged Mr Jackson walked behind the counter and stole cigarettes, tobacco, an iced coffee and an energy drink to the value of $131. Police said the incident was captured on CCTV. Mr Jackson was found on a southbound train at Stirling train station the same day and arrested. The police prosecutor said Mr Jackson was arrested wearing the same clothes as shown in the footage, along with a water bottle filled with petrol, cigarettes and tobacco items matching those stolen. “Half the evidence isn’t real,” Mr Jackson told the court after the statement of facts was presented by the prosecution. “If you’ve got no evidence, I want to be remanded for legal advice and get bail. “All it is is his word against mine.” Magistrate Benjamin Tyers made note of Mr Jackson’s “significant” 26-page record and said in his opinion police had a “strong prosecution case”. “They’re all pretty minor but,” Mr Jackson said. Mr Tyers said it showed various aspects of violence and dishonesty before denying the bail application.