Francois Delroy, 20, pleads guilty to aggravated carjacking

A Leopold man was being “less than truthful” when he told police he stole a car at knifepoint to feed his girlfriend, a court has heard.

Delroy Francois. Source: Facebook.

A Geelong hoodlum told police he stole a car at knifepoint because his girlfriend was hungry, a court has heard.

Delroy Francois, 20, pleaded guilty in the County Court at Melbourne on Tuesday to a single charge of aggravated carjacking.

Documents released by the court reveal a real estate worker was driving on Rockley Rd in South Yarra on February 16 this year when the carjacking occurred.

As the woman drove, a black Holden wagon pulled up behind her and blocked her exit.

Francois, wearing a black balaclava and brandishing a 17.5cm hunting knife, got out of the driver’s side of the Holden and ran towards the victim’s car, shouting for her to get out.

Fearful, the woman fled to a nearby house to seek refuge as Francois got in her car and drove off.

Francois was arrested in Richmond later that afternoon, the court heard.

Francois told police he had only been out of jail for a week, and initially said a friend had given him the stolen car.

However, he later confessed, telling officers: “I f--ked up, I wasn’t thinking, I was f--king starving. We had no money … I did what I had to do to feed my girlfriend.”

“Just forget about the f--kin’ whole story.

“Yes, it’s me … all I did was just try to lie about it so I could get out tonight and be there for my girlfriend.”

Francois told police he was “deeply sorry” to the victim, adding: “I would never do a carjacking but my girlfriend was starving.”

He said the incident made him realise, “it’s time to wake up and … stop doing stupid s--t”.

In a victim impact statement read by prosecutor Angela Liantzakis, the victim described how her life had been “seriously altered” and she was “unable to shake the overwhelming fear”.

Anxiety and nightmares began shortly after the incident, the court heard, and it had put a strain on her relationships and left her feeling worthless.

Judge Gabrielle Cannon remarked she was “far from worthless” but was “a very courageous young woman”.

The court heard Francois had written a letter of apology to the victim, but Judge Cannon noted his explanation for the crime differed from the one he gave police.

After receiving instructions from her client, Ms Foot told the court Francois was developing insight into his actions.

“When he first got locked up, he said whatever he said to get the best outcome for himself … he wasn’t being fully truthful,” Ms Foot said.

“Now he’s at a point where he’s realised that’s not going to serve him in the long run.”

The plea hearing did not include further submissions from the defence and prosecution, as

Judge Cannon requested more information about relevant diagnoses and substance use.

“I want to know exactly what I’m dealing with, and who I’m dealing with,” Judge Cannon said.

Francois will return to court on October 31.

Originally published as Francois Delroy, 20, pleads guilty to aggravated carjacking