Russell James Trevathan appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday after claiming he was not privy to the planning of the incidents which happened a week apart in March 2017 and was surprised when his co-defendant became threatening to the victims.
Judge Kevin Phillips rejected those comments.
''You were fully involved in the two aggravated robberies,'' he said.
The first had Trevathan and another man head to a Liberton home where the victim was home with his partner and infant daughter.
The duo told the man his friend owed them money.
When the victim said he did not know where the man was, Trevathan's mate called him a liar and said he was looking for an excuse to ''bash his head in''.
With that threat hanging, they demanded the keys to the 2001 red Holden Commodore parked by the house.
They allowed the victim to clear out his possessions before the defendants left in the car.
Because of the fear of gang retribution, the man did not make a police complaint for several weeks.
Judge Phillips said the stolen vehicle was found severely damaged, with false number plates, outside Trevathan's home.
He originally told police he had bought the car from the victim.
Just a week later, Trevathan went with two other men to a Mosgiel address to which his co-defendant was delivering cannabis.
Once inside, one of the men made threats to stab the victim, called him a ''nark'' and demanded $10,000.
He refused and one of the defendants said they would take the man's green 2003 Holden Commodore until he came up with the cash.
While two of the men searched for the keys, Trevathan drew up a document which falsely stated the victim had sold him the car for $15,000.
Judge Phillips said the costs for the victims had been extreme.
The first suffered such mental-health problems the relationship with his partner broke down three months after the incident.
His car had to be scrapped because it was so badly damaged in the interim.
The judge said there was no chance either man would be compensated financially for their losses because Trevathan had no assets or savings.
Trevathan was jailed for two years, nine months and given a first-strike warning.
Burger breach
While on electronically monitored bail, Trevathan was given a special allowance by Corrections to get married.
Trevathan was instructed to drive to the ceremony and straight home.
However, Corrections discovered he made an unapproved stop on the return leg for a post-wedding feed.
''He drove through the Burger King drive-thru and got a burger. He didn't go into the restaurant or anything,'' defence counsel Judith Ablett-Kerr QC said at the time.
''Did he pay for the burger?'' Judge Phillips asked.
Ms Ablett-Kerr confirmed her client did.
The judge added that he had never tried Burger King.
''You're luckier than him in that respect,'' Ms Ablett-Kerr said.
Trevathan was later remanded in custody until sentencing.
