Shepparton’s Harley Turner pleads not guilty to armed robbery, assault
A Shepparton man who tried to sack his lawyer five minutes before his committal was set to begin has pleaded not guilty to alleged armed robbery and assault.
Goulburn Valley
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A Shepparton man has pleaded not guilty to allegedly assaulting another with a tyre lever and committing an armed robbery, moments after trying to sack his lawyer.
Harley Turner, 33, appeared in the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for a committal, facing seven charges including armed robbery.
The court heard Mr Turner had attempted to change lawyers five minutes before his committal hearing began.
However, he ultimately decided to proceed and seek new counsel before his next court date.
The alleged offending occurred with a co-accused on January 8, 2024 in front of Budget Tyres Shepparton.
During the alleged armed robbery and theft, Mr Turner is accused of stealing $1100 cash, an iPhone, driver’s licence and a packet of 20 cigarettes, eight 18-inch wheels and four tyres.
The court heard the alleged victim had been hit with the tyre lever and punched in the head and face.
He said the remembered having his “stuff stolen, being hit over the head, being abused and being asked ‘where’s the drugs?’” during the alleged assault, which was not captured on any CCTV.
Another witness said she saw the alleged victim covered in blood and “pretty badly hurt”.
The court heard search warrants by police uncovered shorts and shoes at the co-accused’s address that had blood on them and were tested.
The blood was found not to be Mr Turner or his co-accused’s, but could have belonged to their alleged victim, the court heard.
Police also found four silver 18-inch rims at Mr Turner’s address.
Magistrate Simon Zebrowski said he was satisfied to commit the case to trial in the Shepparton County Court.
Mr Turner was remanded in custody to appear for a directions hearing on April 16.
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