Chris Brandon Phillips in court for armed robbery

A court has heard of the terrifying morning a homeless man had a knife held to his throat while two men wearing balaclavas stole his bag, which contained a small amount of cash and a sentimental family keepsake.

A homeless man had a knife held to his throat and his bag containing less than $30 stolen from him in a terrifying armed robbery.

Chris Brandon Phillips, 32, pleaded guilty to armed robbery in company and other offences when he faced Maryborough District Court this week.

The court heard Phillips, while in the company of another man, robbed a homeless man who was sleeping rough behind a building in Maryborough.

The incident happened at 6.15am on July 2, 2023.

The victim was woken by the two men, who were wearing balaclavas and gloves, and Phillips’ co-offender had a knife, the court was told.

The co-offender held the knife to the man’s neck while demanding his bag, and the two stole the bag, which contained no more than $30 and his identification cards.

Phillips was identified via CCTV footage and was arrested on July 18, 2023.

He initially denied any knowledge of the offence, but when he was shown the stills of the CCTV footage he gave information to the police about his co-offender, the court heard.

It heard Phillips had been exposed and subjected to domestic violence.

Chris Brandon Phillips, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery in company and other offences when he faced Maryborough District Court this week.

He had been diagnosed with an acquired brain injury when he was 15 after he was hit by a truck while riding a bicycle.

He had also been diagnosed with PTSD after the incident and had some cognitive difficulties as a result.

Phillips was educated to Year 10 and had worked as a labourer in the past.

He had used drugs, predominantly cannabis, since he was a teenager, and had used meth “from time to time”.

Phillips had the support of his family, who were in court for the sentencing.

He had expressed remorse to his psychologist and his counsellor and had enrolled in a course to obtain his white card.

He had told his psychologist that when he went out that night he “expected to be doing something that was criminal in nature” but did not realise he was about to involved in an armed robbery until it effectively was happening.

Judge Vicki Loury said Phillips’ offending had a significant impact on the man he had robbed.

“He avoids Bazaar Street now because it brings back these bad memories and makes him feel ill,” she said.

“In particular though he feels the loss of his father’s Star of David pendant which was in his bag, which had significant sentimental value to him and that’s lost to him now.”

The victim was particularly vulnerable because he was sleeping rough, Judge Loury said.

But Phillips did not produce the weapon or use violence himself, she said.

Judge Loury urged Phillips to deal with his mental health issues so he didn’t turn to drugs to self-medicate.

Phillips was given a head sentence of two years in prison.

He had served nine months and 10 days in prison, and was to be released immediately on parole.

Pics shows Aussie campers’ costly disaster

The big city-changing decisions facing our new council