Robert Walter Ross Farmer jailed after ‘terrifying’ home burglary and armed robbery while high on meth

An Albany man who was out of prison for six days and committed an aggravated burglary and armed robbery while high on methamphetamine has been jailed again. Robert Walter Ross Farmer, 39, was sentenced to three years and six months jail in the District Court of WA on March 2. The Albany father of two committed an aggravated home burglary and armed robbery at a Perth home during 2020. The district court was told he had been released from jail only six days prior to the offending and had consumed a large amount of meth. Judge Christian Miocevich described the offending as a “violent, terrifying incident”. While there was no actual violence, there was an “obvious and undeniable threat of violence,” he said. Judge Miocevich told the court Farmer had attended the home to get more meth from his supplier but the man was not home. Farmer forced entry into the house and armed himself with two bricks which he had initially hidden behind his back, the court was told. Judge Miocevich said Farmer threw a brick at the victim’s dog and injured it. He also threw a brick at the female victim. The judge said Farmer then picked up swords and a hatchet in a threatening manner. “Your possession of them, in the circumstances where you deliberately forced your way into the house, must have instilled further fear on the occupants, not knowing whether you were going to use them or not,” he said. After the incident Farmer was captured on CCTV footage concealing an axe in a towel and “strumming it like a guitar”. There were three females in the home at the time who had “every right to feel safe in their own residence”, Judge Miocevich said. One of the women suffered a fit as a result of Farmer’s actions, the court was told. In WA, aggravated home burglary carries a maximum penalty of 20 years behind bars. The maximum penalty for an armed robbery is life imprisonment. Judge Miocevich said Farmer was a “third striker” for aggravated home burglary which carried a mandatory minimum term of two years in jail. The court was told Farmer initially wanted to take the matter to trial but pleaded guilty prior to the empanelment of a jury. “I’m told by your counsel you feel shame and regret for your actions and wish to apologise to the victims for your actions,” Judge Miocevich said. Judge Miovecich acknowledged how hard it was for Farmer to overcome his 21-year drug addiction. “I hope you get the help you need when you’re in prison to overcome your addiction,” he said. The judge told Farmer that upon his release he could still play a major role in the lives of his children. “I have no doubt that you want to be a positive role in their life and not a negative role,” he said. “Mr Farmer, it’s up to you as to whether you have the strength to choose them over drugs.” The jail term was backdated to January 21 when he was taken into custody.