Man allegedly robbed while lying on the ground having a stroke
A man has faced court after he allegedly stole cash and credit cards from a cancer sufferer’s wallet as he lay helpless while having a stroke in a carpark.
Newcastle
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Sitting in his vehicle in the carpark of the Lake Macquarie Hotel at Mount Hutton for about 20 minutes Robert Velich couldn’t start his car. He had suffered a stroke.
And when he tried to get out, he stumbled, his legs giving way, before he fell into the car next to him and hit his head, blood pouring out.
Son Luke told The Newcastle News what had happened to his dad on that Tuesday afternoon, saying he had seen security footage.
Mr Velich has pancreatic cancer and a blood clot in his brain triggered a stroke.
“You can see him sitting on the ground trying to get up, he’s just helpless, he’s got nothing,” Luke Velich said.
But what happened next was even more shocking, when police allege while laying helpless on the ground, another man robbed him.
Police allege Michael Moroney-Paine, 29, stole $400 worth of cash and credit cards from Mr Velich’s wallet before calling triple-0 for help and leaving the scene.
Two days later when the Lake Macquarie Target Action Group tried to arrest Moroney-Paine at his Windale home, police allege he fled from officers before being detained.
He appeared via video link at Belmont Local Court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to larceny, escape police custody, and resisting arrest.
In court, Moroney-Paine’s solicitor Matthew Unwin denied the accusations on behalf of his client, telling the court he in-fact went into the vehicle to get Mr Velich’s phone and wallet to ensure he had them when the ambulance arrived.
He said his client put the wallet into his pocket before leaving, noting there were plenty of other onlookers who could of had opportunity to take the items.
“This is a circumstance where he said he was acting as a good Samaritan,” Mr Unwin said.
But the police prosecution told Magistrate Sharron Crews CCTV footage available from the hotel was clear and showed a different scenario, representing a strong case against Moroney-Paine.
The prosecution said Mr Velich’s wife found the wallet in the car the next day and there were things missing.
“CCTV footage shows no-one approached the car until the next day until his wife unlocked the car,” he said.
“The footage is very good.”
Both the prosecution and Mr Unwin left the courtroom for a short period to view the footage but only part of the vision was available.
Mr Unwin noted the entirety needed to be viewed to prove his client was telling the truth.
Magistrate Crews said given Moroney-Paine was on an intensive corrections order (ICO) as well as parole for an unrelated dishonesty matter, and that more CCTV footage needed to be viewed, his application for bail was refused.
“Unfortunately the footage is not available but court is to accept in good faith, there is a strong prosecution case,” Magistrate Crews said.
Police will soon look to obtain a statement from Mr Velich who is recovering in John Hunter Hospital.
His son Luke said he is still not functioning properly but is a lot better than when he first went into the hospital.
“Just taking it day by day,” he said.
“He’s got full movement to his arms and legs but he is still a bit weak on left side.”
The matter has been adjourned until February 12.