Rick Murray Clough, father of allegedly abused boy Jimmy, refused bail over charges he robbed three service stations

The father of allegedly burned and neglected Jimmy had custody until he helped two teenagers rob three service stations in 17 minutes, a court has heard.

SCALDED and bruised little boy Jimmy was only in the care of his mother – who is accused of criminal neglect – because his father allegedly committed three robberies in 17 minutes, a court has heard.

On Monday, Rick Murray Clough asked the Adelaide Magistrates Court to grant him home-detention bail so he could once again care for Jimmy* and other children.

Michael Dzodzos, for Mr Clough, said there had been “a significant change of circumstances” since his client was arrested, alongside two 17-year-old co-accused, in April.

Emma Jade Short and Rick Murray Clough. Picture: Facebook

He said his client had ­custody of Jimmy prior to his arrest, and the boy then went to live with Mr Clough’s mother, Denise.

Mr Dzodzos said Jimmy later went to live with his mother, Emma Jade Short.

“Since he has been in custody, things have spiralled out of control,” Mr Dzodzos told the court.

“Soon after his arrest, his son was hospitalised with ­severe burns and found to have methylamphetamine in his system … his son is quite young, this is a traumatic  situation.

“My client would like to get home-detention bail so he can see his son, organise for him to have some proper care and look after his son, as he did before his arrest.”

Mr Clough, 33, has yet to plead to three aggravated counts of committing theft using force.

Prosecutors allege that on May 17 he was driving a getaway car involved in three service station robberies that occurred in the space of 17 minutes.

They alleged CCTV footage shows two 17-year-olds robbing all three of the OTR outlets, as well as Mr Clough sitting in the car at the scene of the third robbery.

Jimmy was allegedly criminally neglected by his mother and uncle. Picture: Supplied

Mr Clough has yet to enter pleas to charges arising from three alleged robberies. Picture: Facebook

Two OTR staff members were injured in the robberies.

The alleged offences predate Ms Short’s arrest – alongside Mr Clough’s brother Rodney David Clough for the alleged criminal neglect of Jimmy.

In that case, prosecutors have alleged burns on Jimmy’s face and body are consistent with the toddler having been submerged in boiling water.

On Monday, prosecutors asked the court to reject Rick Clough’s bid for bail.

Magistrate Briony Kennewell refused his bail application, saying the alleged offending was too serious.

She remanded him in custody to face court again in October.

* The Advertiser has chosen to refer to the alleged victim with a pseudonym.