SA: 24 years jail for man who shot two police officers

00-00-0000
SA: 24 years jail for man who shot two police officers

ADELAIDE, Dec 20 AAP - A serial bank robber who shot at two police officers will spendat least 24 years in prison.

In the South Australian District Court today, Harry Richard Nylander was told he hadcaused great emotional distress to his victims and his crimes were amongst the most seriousof offences.

Nylander was found guilty this month of four counts of armed robbery and two countsof shooting with the intent to do grievous bodily harm.

In August 2000, Nylander fired at two police officers who suspected he was casing abank to commit a hold-up.

Neither officer was injured and they returned fire, hitting Nylander in the chest.

The armed robberies, which netted Nylander more than $31,000, occurred at three suburbanAdelaide banks between February 1996 and May 2000.

Sentencing Nylander today, Justice John Perry said the armed robberies had been "clearlyplanned and executed".

He said one bank staffer still experienced emotional distress from the robbery, asdid the two police officers.

One of the officers experienced an ongoing fear of retribution by Nylander, Justice Perry said.

"To shoot at police officers who are engaged in their duty is a serious offence," he said.

"Fortunately for you, neither shot hit its target ... but there was no doubt you intendedto hit both officers.

"You suffered a wound in your chest but that cannot alleviate the seriousness of the crime."

Justice Perry said he took Nylander's 53 years of age into account when setting the sentence.

However, he noted Nylander had shown no remorse for the crimes and had previously beenconvicted of larceny in 1970 and armed robbery and other offences in 1973.

For the 1973 offending, Nylander was sentenced to six years imprisonment, during whichhe tried to escape, Justice Perry said.

He said Nylander continued to offend after his release but no further convictions were recorded.

Justice Perry sentenced Nylander to 32 years imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 24 years.

AAP la/sl/jmd/sb d

KEYWORD: NYLANDER