Robert Edward John Meakins in court for robbery in company on Sunshine Coast bus

A Sunshine Coast man who helped rob a teenager on a public bus has faced court for his part in the terrifying ordeal.

Robert Meakins. Photo: Social media

A man who helped rob a terrified teen on a Sunshine Coast bus has been sentenced over the terrifying ordeal.

Robert Edward John Meakins, 23, pleaded guilty in the Maroochydore District Court on March 11 to a sole charge of robbery in company whilst pretending to be armed.

He was supported by his mother in the public gallery.

Crown prosecutor Madalyn Olivero told the court Meakins’ teenage victim had boarded a public bus at Horton Pde, Maroochydore, bound for Kawana when Meakins’ and others boarded the same bus on January 8, 2023.

He was on probation at the time.

Ms Olivero said a boy with Meakins began talking to the teenage victim, asking his name and age before asking him his shoe size.

He then asked Meakins if he should take the teenager’s shoes, which Meakins’ replied “yeah”.

Ms Olivero said the victim refused, but the boy took his sunglasses instead and passed them to Meakins.

Ten minutes later, more people boarded the bus and the group sat directly behind the victim.

Ms Olivero said the boy then leaned forward and said words to the effect of: “if you don’t give me your shoes now, I’ll stab you. We’ll kick you off the bus and beat you”.

Robert Meakins. Photo: Social media

The court was told the victim asked to see the knife the boy was threatening him with, and although wasn’t shown any weapon, saw an object hidden in the juvenile’s bag he assumed was a knife.

Terrified and threatened, he handed his shoes over.

Meakins and the others then left the bus a short time later, and the victim called his mother and had the incident reported to police.

Meakins was later picked up in Mooloolaba that night and was released without charge, but was later brought in for questioning and said anything that appeared on the bus’ CCTV was what he had done, but said there was no knife in the juvenile’s bag.

The court was told he had served 295 days in pre-sentence custody.

Defence barrister Michael Anderson told the court his client would live with his mother at Yandina upon release and had the opportunity to work as a plasterer and labourer with his stepfather.

He said his client had reflected on his behaviour while in custody and had acted as an “opportunistic, immature young man”.

Judge Glen Cash sentenced Meakins’ to two years probation.