Bradley Rudduck: alleged servo armed robber to plead not guilty, denied bail

A Mid-North Coast man, who police allege held up a servo in the dead of night, has been formally denied bail by the court.

A Gladstone man — who arrived at court with no shoes on — has been formally denied bail after the alleged armed robbery of a Port Macquarie servo.

Bradley Rudduck, 35, appeared before Kempsey Local Court charged with robbery armed with offensive weapon on September 21.

The man is alleged to have held up a servo with a tyre iron.

His lawyer indicated Rudduck would enter a plea of not guilty, after he turned himself in following NSW Police posts on Facebook.

NSW Police will allege in court Rudduck held up the AMPOL Foodary on Port Macquarie’s Lord St around 3.20am on September 19.

Police allege Rudduck, wielding a tyre lever, demanded cash from servo worker Brandon Dabbs before fleeing on foot with $400.

The lawyer said his client is unemployed and suffers from mental health issues including depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.

The solicitor pleaded with the magistrate to release Rudduck on bail to seek drug rehabilitation and mental health support, which he isn’t currently getting.

The man is alleged to have robbed the Lord St servo in the middle of the night.

The lawyer spoke of his client’s “fragile condition”, noting he “seems to be in some form of withdrawal” and this is causing him to feel “serve self-harm” urges.

In seeking bail, the defence suggested Rudduck would continue living with his parents, complying with a curfew – since the offence was committed in the early hours of the morning – and he could be subject to reporting conditions with local police.

Speaking on Rudduck’s record, the lawyer noted some “history of incarceration” but told the magistrate his client was not currently subject to any court orders, bail conditions, or apprehended violence orders.

Police prosecutor Chris Heery objected to the bail request, saying the vehicle police had seized was a “short distance away” from the scene of the crime, and referencing evidence from safety cameras on the road back to Kempsey.

The prosecutor also spoke about a prior robbery offence on Rudducks’ record, as well as recent community corrections orders he had been subject to.

“This is a serious matter involving the use of a weapon,” Mr Heery said.

“He is an unacceptable risk … bail should be refused.”

Rudduck was formally denied bail in Kempsey Local Court.

Magistrate David O’Neil said the prosecution looks to have a strong case, noting Rudduck’s “problematic history” which includes charges such as armed robbery and break-and-enter.

Mr O’Neil also referred to the alleged offender’s “recent problems with drugs”.

“It is highly unlikely … that he’d address these issues (on bail),” the magistrate said.

“Something far more structured would be required.”

Bail was formally denied and Rudduck is set to reappear in Port Macquarie Local Court on November 24.