Marley Tiopira and John Jerrett have pleaded not guilty to armed robbery of Commonwealth Hotel at Cooks Hill

A week apart, two men have denied they were behind the armed robbery of a popular inner-city Newcastle pub where more than $120,000 was stolen. Read what happened in court.

The pair pleaded not guilty to the armed robbery in Newcastle Local Court. Supplied Amy Ziniak

Two men have denied they were armed with a baseball bat and a machete before they stormed a popular inner-city Newcastle pub and made off with more than $100,000 in cash.

Police allege Marley Tiopira, 30, and John Jerrett covered their faces and hit the Commonwealth Hotel in Cooks Hill in the early hours of February 28.

It’s further alleged the pair forced the manager back into the pub and made him move around on his knees before he was ordered to open the safes and cash dispensers so they could steal $124,456.

A cleaner, who police allege arrived during the robbery, was allegedly assaulted by a man as he attempted to run away and suffered a medical episode and had to be revived and rushed to hospital.

Both men were arrested some two weeks later by Strike Force Krichauff established to investigate the alleged hold-up.

In Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday Tiopira appeared via video link as he was represented by solicitor Cameron Duncan.

The Commonwealth Hotel was targeted by armed robbers during a violent pre-dawn hold up on February 28, 2024. Picture: Google Maps.

He pleaded not guilty to armed robbery with an offensive weapon, being a baseball bat, and reckless grievous bodily harm in company relating to the alleged hold-up.

The 30-year-old also pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated assault with intent to take a motor vehicle; armed with a weapon and possession of 0.12 grams of methylamphetamine.

Tiopira is also facing another charge of conspire to commit a robbery in company, which court documents detail that the 30-year-old plotted with Jerrett to commit a robbery at another licensed premises in Newcastle in early March.

He also pleaded not guilty to that charge.

A week earlier, Jerrett pleaded not guilty to the same charges except pleaded guilty to a drug possession offence and additional two charges of custody of a knife in a public place.

Both men will head to trial in the District Court and are set to be arraigned in February next year.