Jarrah Weston arrested in Shepparton courtroom for alleged armed robbery
A man was dramatically arrested inside a Shepparton courtroom, with local police later getting a dressing-down from a magistrate for their “inappropriate arrest”.
Goulburn Valley
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A Shepparton magistrate has blasted local police after they stormed a courtroom to perform a dramatic arrest on a man waiting for separate matters to be called.
Jarrah Weston, 20, was arrested by detectives inside the Shepparton Magistrates Court on Thursday just minutes before his matter could be called.
Police arrested Mr Weston for an alleged armed robbery on January 31 which was unrelated to his matters before the court on Thursday.
But Magistrate Olivia Trumble slammed police for performing the arrest inside the courtroom which she said was “not appropriate”.
She said the courtroom arrest could reduce the chances of getting him back to court in the future.
Mr Weston returned to court in custody for a bail application later that day on an armed robbery charge.
The court heard he was on bail when the alleged offending occurred.
Senior Constable Andrew Costello told the court he had “extreme concerns” because the firearm allegedly used in the robbery had not been located.
He also alleged the accused was addicted to drugs, particularly methylamphetamine.
Senior Constable Costello said there was not a bail condition that would satisfy the risk Mr Weston posed.
Defence lawyer, Ian Michaelson said Mr Weston was a vulnerable, young Aboriginal male with an intellectual disability.
Mr Michaelson also said Mr Weston had strong family support and could re-engage with Court Integrated Services Program (CISP).
Ms Trumble refused bail but said she would grant it if he could get a bed in residential rehabilitation.
“He’s proved he can do residential rehabilitation and that he is not a risk if he does it,” she said.
Ms Trumble said Mr Weston had previously done “really well” in residential rehabilitation but had left early and as a consequence relapsed and “spiralled”.
She said the armed robbery and firearm charges were serious allegations.
He will return to court on April 16 for a committal mention in relation to the armed robbery charges.
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