Alleged knifepoint bottle shop robber Joshua Robert McHugh denied bail

A man who allegedly robbed a Gladstone bottle shop while armed with a knife earlier this week applied for bail on Friday. Full details here.

A man who allegedly robbed a Gladstone bottle shop while armed with a knife earlier this week applied for bail in court on Friday.

Joshua Robert McHugh, 34, appeared in custody via videolink before Acting Magistrate Leanne Scoines as the allegations were read to the court.

Mr McHugh is charged with robbery with actual violence and was not required to enter a plea.

Police Prosecutor Senior Constable Carl Spargo told the court that on January 10, about 10.30am, Mr McHugh allegedly entered the LiquorLand store in New Auckland wearing a two-toned grey long sleeve shirt, black shorts, Asics sneakers, a black cap and a face mask.

Snr Const Spargo said after picking a vodka bottle and making his way to the counter, Mr McHugh allegedly told the bottle shop attendant: “I will have this and all of your money” and produced a knife from his right shirt sleeve.

Snr Const Spargo said the shop attendant opened the till and placed $225 into a green Woolworths bag before Mr McHugh allegedly took the bag and left the store, jogging towards Beak Street.

The court heard that police were called and viewed CCTV footage from Liquor Land which depicted Mr McHugh allegedly holding a knife in his right hand and separate footage showing him allegedly on Beak Street.

Snr Const Spargo said about 10.51am, police got a call from a member of the public who advised 10-15 minutes prior they saw a man walking quickly along Beak Street and hiding something under his shirt.

The witness allegedly followed Mr McHugh in their van and observed Mr McHugh run into the yard and up the stairs of a Wattle Street address.

Snr Const Spargo said at 1.37pm on January 11, police located Mr McHugh on Teak Street and conducted a search which uncovered $100 in cash.

The court heard that at 5.30pm that day, police executed a search warrant at Mr McHugh’s temporary address on Wattle Street which uncovered a Smirnoff vodka bottle in a wheelie bin and clothing items which matched Mr McHugh’s on the day of his alleged offending.

On January 12 police attended the Wattle Street address once again and arrested Mr McHugh.

He declined to be interviewed and was subsequently charged.

Mr McHugh’s lawyer Pierre Lammersdorf told the court his client was suitable for bail due to the current evidence against his client being “weak”.

“This is a matter which will take some time, will ultimately have to go to the District Court and it will take a significant period of time until it is resolved,” Mr Lammersdorf said.

“Remanding my client for that period of time at this point with the strength of the evidence he could show cause as to why bail should be accepted.”

Snr Const Spargo said he strongly disagreed with Mr Lammersdorf’s submissions regarding Mr McHugh’s suitability for bail.

“He is anti-police, that is quite evident in his actions, he hides from police, he doesn’t co-operate with police and he has a history of violence and substance misuse,” the police prosecutor said.

“The strength of the case for the Crown is high, he is in a show cause position as to why he should not be imprisoned and he is on two current probation orders.”

Ms Scoines said the strength of the prosecution’s case against Mr McHugh regarding his alleged offending was too strong to overrule and subsequently he was denied bail.

Mr McHugh’s matters are due to be heard next in the Gladstone Magistrates Court on March 7, where a brief of evidence will be presented to his lawyers.