An Austrian man who reportedly persuaded his 14-year-old son and his friend to commit a series of armed robberies attempted to pin the blame on the teens in court after they were caught.

According to reports, the 34-year-old man had both the judge and jury of a Vienna Regional Court stunned following his attempt to cast the blame on his 14-year-old son and his 17-year-old best friend for a series of robberies, claiming they were the masterminds behind the crimes and he only acted as the getaway driver.

It’s understood that the two minors were sent to rob gas stations and tobacco shops, wearing balaclava masks and knives or pistols loaded with blank bullets, while the man waited outside behind the wheel of the getaway car.

The trio participated in seven robberies before their eventual capture, with the 34-year-old proclamation of being a mere accomplice to the crimes.

“The first defendant didn’t need the two children for the robberies. It’s exactly the other way around. The two persuaded him,” the 34-year-old man’s lawyer told the Court.

It’s further reported that despite being confronted with cellphone records and evidence of his ownership of the weapons used in the robberies, the man insisted that robberies were the boys’ idea and he was the one persuaded to be involved.

“Why are you dragging your son into a situation like this? I would do anything to keep my children out of it as much as possible. It’s destroying his life. I find that incomprehensible,” the Judge told the 34-year-old man.

It’s understood that the man eventually gave in to his guilt and admitted to his part in the crime, taking full responsibility.

He was sentenced to eight years behind bars, while his son received three and a half years, of which he will serve a minimum of one year. His friend,17, was slapped with a two-and-a-half year sentence, ten months of which will be in prison.