Atkinson shot a 54-year-old man who was living in a tent in a Shepparton backyard on March 1, 2024.
He was driven to the property with a woman, and asked for the man and his partner at the front door before walking through the house to the backyard.
When Atkinson entered the tent he asked for someone he said had “bashed” a relative of his.
He then used a sawn-off .22 calibre rifle to try to steal a satchel containing money that was owned by a man who was visiting the victim at the time, before hitting him on the head with it.
He then threatened to kill the visitor and the victim’s partner.
The victim followed Atkinson and the woman after they left the tent, before Atkinson shot him from five metres away.
The bullet entered the front of his chest on the left, and exited his left upper back, and he didn’t need surgery.
The court heard the victim who was shot was now “constantly afraid, nervous and anxious”, and was too scared to return to the address, even to collect his belongings.
Judge Simon Moglia acknowledged Atkinson’s “genuine participation” and “relatively open” engagement in the Koori Court sentencing conversation.
He said it showed remorse for his offending, as well as his expressed desire to apologise to his victims.
Judge Moglia noted Atkinson’s ADHD, stimulant use disorder, and issues with impulsivity and managing his emotions.
He also noted Atkinson’s multiple violent prior offences, and said he was “clearly aggressive” intending to cause harm to people he didn’t know, and who would’ve been terrified.
He said it wasn’t a situation where Atkinson was faced with violence, and it was luck there were no serious consequences.
“You instigated this violence completely of your own volition,” Judge Moglia said.
Atkinson was sentenced to six years and three months in prison, and must serve three years and six months before becoming eligible for parole.
The 604 days he has spent in custody will count as time already served.
15°C