JUDGE'S REGRET AT JAILING PAIR

A Melbourne judge expressed regret yesterday that he had to send two young
heroin addicts to jail for a maximum of five years.

Judge John Barnett said it was regrettable that, despite Aimee Effendi and
Sean Elliott's youth, rehabilitation prospects, remorse and guilty pleas, a
jail term was the only sentence available.

Judge Barnett also said in his sentencing remarks to Effendi, 21, that he
suspected the Deer Park women's facility was "less than ideal in terms of
you re-establishing yourself than should be the case".

Effendi and Elliott, 25, both of Hartley Street, Dingley Village, had
pleaded guilty to 17 charges, including 11 of armed robbery in which a
blood-filled syringe was used.

Judge Barnett said all but one robbery was committed on video stores
between March 5 and 24 this year. They involved threats and trauma to the
victims and violence against two people.

He said both offenders were talented and should have had good futures, but
they had lost their way during 19 days after their heroin habit escalated.

Judge Barnett said Effendi was depressed and fragile after the death of her
mother and Elliott had tried to fill the "emotional void" she was experiencing.

They will serve at least 30 months.