Ryan McGregor charged over alleged Engadine Hungry Jacks robbery
A landscaper accused of drunkenly wielding a homemade item resembling a gun at a Sydney fast food chain has been struggling with alcohol in the wake of a personal tragedy, a court has heard.
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A drunk landscaper who allegedly threatened fast food restaurant stuff with a black tape item resembling a handgun has been struggling with alcohol after his brother’s death, a court heard.
Police will allege Ryan McGregor, 23, walked into the Engadine Hungry Jack’s drive through on Friday and demanded food from frightened staff who believed he was wielding a gun.
It is understood the “gun” was actually a homemade item constructed with black tape.
At the time, McGregor was already on bail over allegations he had terrorised commuters with a knife at a Sydney train station.
High profile criminal solicitor Elias Tabchouri sought McGregor’s bail, telling Magistrate Paul Mulroney at Parramatta Bail Court McGregor had been struggling with alcohol since his younger brother Jarred’s death when he was a passenger in a 2022 police pursuit.
“It’s devastated the family, it’s devastated Ryan, he’s started drinking and that’s progressed and progressed,” Mr Tabchouri said.
“He doesn’t recall any of it, he’s very apologetic for that, and I accept those present would have been scared.”
In a document of allegations, police state McGregor arrived on a push bike demanding food before waving the makeshift item and tucking it into his pants.
At one point, police allege McGregor tried to climb into the restaurant from the drive through area, and pressed on the soft drink dispenser before drinking soda from his hands.
“I want my food order,” McGregor is alleged to have said.
Police allege the manager replied “okay mate, I’ll get you some food” before giving him a barbecue cheeseburger, onion rings and a Coke, which McGregor consumed in the outdoor seating area.
When asked outside court, Mr Tabchouri said McGregor might have targeted that outlet because “maybe the burgers are better at Hungry Jack’s”.
“I’ve told Ryan these are serious matters because it scared the bejesus out of people,” Mr Tabchouri said.
“Whether people don’t know you have some plastic or a bit of rubbish, they think in the spur of the moment it is (a firearm).”
A police prosecutor opposed bail, highlighting McGregor was already on bail for a serious alleged weapon offence and the trauma staff would have suffered when they believed he was armed with a gun.
Mr Mulroney refused bail due to the seriousness of the allegations.
“He has scared the crap out of people,” the magistrate said.
“Once with what appeared to be a gun, once with what appeared to be a knife.”
McGregor will remain in custody on remand before his next appearance at Sutherland Local Court on July 11.
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