Jack McLean, of Avalon Beach, refused bail over alleged bow and arrow robbery attempt in Manly

A man armed with a bow and arrow allegedly bailed up a stranger in a Sydney tourist hotspot, demanding “dexies” from him in broad daylight, a court has heard.

Police arrest Jack McLean on Wednesday morning. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

A man armed with a bow and arrow allegedly tried to rob a stranger, demanding “dexies”, just metres from a police station in a Sydney tourist hotspot, a court has heard.

Police claim Jack Lachlan McLean, 29, was carrying a compound bow that had an arrow loaded on its drawstring when he allegedly bailed a man up in Manly on Wednesday morning.

The unemployed McLean, of Avalon Beach, allegedly threatened the man in Belgrave St, just outside the local police station and courthouse, about 10.30am, while demanding he hand over pills used to treat ADHD.

On Thursday, Manly Local Court heard McLean mistakenly believed the man was carrying a stimulant medication called dexamphetamine, known colloquially as “dexies”.

Officers from Manly Police Station arrested McLean close to a bus stop on Belgrave St, next to Gilbert Park, just moments after he allegedly threatened the man.

An officer leads Jack McLean into Manly Police Station after his arrest. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

The alleged victim was not injured.

McLean was subsequently charged with assault with intent to rob while armed with an offensive weapon, and being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Jack McLean, 27, allegedly tried to rob a man on Belgrave St at 10.30am on Wednesday. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

He did not enter pleas when he applied for bail on Thursday.

A police prosecutor opposed McLean’s bid for bail, telling magistrate Margaret McGlynn the safety of the community, and the alleged victim, had to be protected.

The court heard McLean had been convicted only last week of a series of shoplifting and drug possession offences, for which he had been handed a number of community correction orders.

“Now he is going about armed with a bow and arrow and pointing it at people, in broad daylight essentially,” the prosecutor said.

Jack McLean, 29, was refused bail by Manly Local Court on Thursday. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

McLean’s Legal Aid solicitor told the court his client was suffering from a number of underlying mental health issues.

The solicitor said McLean told police had he not put the arrow “into the bow” while walking on Belgrave St.

However, Ms McGlynn refused McLean bail.

“Frankly, these are a very concerning set of facts,” she said.

“(He) was in public walking around with a bow and arrow.”

Ms McGlynn said police alleged McLean asked a stranger for ADHD medication and pointed the bow and arrow at him.

In documents tendered to the court, police described the medication McLean wanted as “dexies”.

“Police observed him in the middle of the street with the bow and arrow … the arrow was attached and the string was drawn,” Ms McGlynn said.

“He obviously has some mental health issues.

“It’s not normal behaviour.”

McLean is next due in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on January 14.