Andre William Goddard (30) is serving a term of six years’ imprisonment following a 2018 crime spree, a sentence due to end in mid-2024.
The Parole Board turned down his latest bid for early release because he had no approved address, nor had there been an integration meeting with his supporters.
It supported Goddard being transferred from the Otago Corrections Facility to Rolleston Prison to be closer to his support network.
Goddard, assisted by Shyanne Oliver-Baker, first robbed the Musselburgh Dairy, taking cash, cigarettes and tobacco pouches, worth nearly $3000.
She placed a pillowcase on the shop counter which the shopkeeper filled with notes and coins, while Goddard pointed an air pistol at the victim.
The duo then joined forces with Cyenna Grace-Ngaro to burgle the Stadium Store in St Kilda, again taking cash and goods.
Oliver-Baker acted as getaway driver while Goddard and Grace-Ngaro — armed with a butcher’s knife — went inside, again making off with cigarettes, cash and confectionery.
They hit the Elgin Food Market the following day, taking a till drawer containing nearly $3000.
Goddard, the Parole Board heard, was "well behaved" in prison.
He had completed the drug treatment programme and had mentored others going through the course.
The prisoner had been in Western Australia from 2011 to 2017 and said he lived a crime-free life, supported by "good people".
Panel convener Kathryn Snook requested confirmation of Goddard’s criminal record from Australia to verify his claims.
"It seems unusual to us that Mr Goddard has pretty much an unbroken history of offending in New Zealand but did not offend in Australia," Ms Snook said.
The prisoner told the board that while living overseas, he had been attacked on his way home from a drinking session.
Since Goddard had been locked up and sober, he realised the impact the injury had had on him, he said.
He will next see the Parole Board in January.
A psychological risk assessment was requested in preparation for that hearing.
Oliver-Baker was paroled last year and Grace-Ngaro was released earlier this month.
