Court told William James Ulf Skogberg denies using knife to threaten woman

A court has been told a nurse reacted with fear when a man allegedly threatened her with a knife outside the Gold Coast University Hospital. The man denies the accusation.

The incident is alleged to have taken place outside the Gold Coast University Hospital. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

A man who allegedly threatened a nurse with a knife and stole her car outside the Gold Coast University Hospital has been given bail.

William James Ulf Skogberg, a former security guard, disputes he had a knife or did anything to make the woman fearful during the alleged robbery, a court was told.

The 32-year-old appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court this morning on one count each of robbery and unlawful use of a motor vehicle and two counts of wilful damage.

The court was told the Pacific Pines man had no recollection of the alleged incident because he had stopped taking medication for a mental health condition.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Saloshini Chetty said Skogberg was armed with a “small dark-coloured knife” when he approached the nurse and told her to get out of the car about 8.45pm on July 12.

The woman was taking items from the car in preparation for a night shift at the hospital when she turned around to see Skogberg outside the driver’s door, the court was told.

“(She said) please don’t steal my car,” Sgt Chetty said.

“Fearing her safety, she left the safety of her car.”

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Defence lawyer Farshad Sarabi, of Hannay Lawyers, said police would not be able to prove Skogberg was armed with a knife.

Mr Sarabi said the robbery charge could be amended to a charge of stealing as the matter progresses through the courts.

“The level of violence was minimal, if any,” Mr Sarabi said.

He said Skogberg previously worked as a security guard for eight years and had no criminal history.

The alleged incident was captured on CCTV, the court was told.

Magistrate Mark Howden said he granted Skogberg bail because of his lack of a criminal history but the allegations were “very serious.”

He will return to court on August 1.