Brent Nathan Jones applies for bail after alleged armed robbery

The alleged “getaway driver” in an armed robbery where the alleged victim was injured has won a bid for freedom despite living a “transient” lifestyle and not having a Central Queensland home to live in.

Brent Nathan Jones, 36, was granted bail in Rockhampton Magistrates Court. Generic image.

The alleged getaway driver in an armed robbery has applied for bail in a Rockhampton court.

Brent Nathan Jones, 36, appeared in custody in the Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Mr Jones, a father of three and boilermaker, is facing a robbery with violence in company charge.

The prosecution opposed bail.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Pete Rumford said Mr Jones had allegedly driven a car to where an alleged armed robbery happened and he was “essentially the getaway driver”.

Snr Const Rumford said the alleged victim had been injured.

The prosecutor said Mr Jones was living a “transient” lifestyle and that was reflected in numerous address checks that police had done.

Snr Const Rumford said Mr Jones was “a known drug user” with “extensive criminal history”.

“Most of that criminal history... refers to drug offending,” he said.

“My ultimate submission would be... even though (Mr Jones) might not be classed as the one so much committing the alleged (armed robbery) offence, he’s well and truly involved in that offence.”

Queensland Police Service. Generic image.

The court heard that of four possible bail addresses provided by Mr Jones, none were deemed suitable because the respective occupants did not want Mr Jones residing there.

“I’ll put on the record... they (addresses) are not being deemed unsuitable by police, they’re actually being deemed unsuitable (by the people living there),” Snr Const Rumford said.

A solicitor said Mr Jones, a father of three and a boilermaker by trade, was charged with “being a party to the (armed robbery) offence”.

The solicitor said Mr Jones did not have any previous offences of violence on his history and his last drug offence was in 2021.

“So over three years ago — and in my submission, that’s important for the court to consider as well in terms of remanding him in custody today,” the solicitor said.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale granted Mr Jones bail with conditions.

Those conditions included advising police of his residential address within 24 hours of securing it, and reporting to police five days a week.

Mr Jones is also not allowed to contact the complainant or accused co-offenders, and he’s prohibited from using drugs or alcohol (with testing).

His matters were adjourned until January 22.