Daniel Pring sentenced to 4 years for Ballarat bank robbery attempt
Daniel Pring, 50, received four years in prison for attempting to rob a Commonwealth Bank in Ballarat while armed with a hammer.
Pring entered the Commonwealth Bank at the corner of Sturt and Lydiard streets in Ballarat on 17 December 2025 with a hammer concealed under his jacket. Daniel Pring approached the teller and told her to "fill a bag with money" in what she described as a casual but serious tone.
The teller refused, pressed the duress alarm, and retreated. Police arrested Pring outside the bank minutes later while he still had the hammer.
Judge Sarah Dawes sentenced him to four years with a non-parole period of two years and eight months, noting the terror the robbery caused bank staff. Pring has a lengthy criminal history including previous armed robbery attempts.
He will be eligible for parole in August 2028.
- 4 years
- Prison sentence
- 2 years 8 months
- Non-parole period
- August 2028
- Parole eligible
- hammer
- Weapon
Why it mattersThe case shows how bank robberies, even when thwarted, leave lasting trauma on employees. The judge emphasised the psychological impact on the two staff members who feared for their safety.
AustraliaThe sentencing provides clarity on penalties for armed robbery in Victoria. Banks remain targets for crime despite security measures and duress alarms.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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