Accused kidnapper Dean Robertson in court after car with baby stolen from Keysborough

A Frankston man accused of stealing a car with a baby boy in the back may have some charges against him dropped.

A man who sparked a massive manhunt when he allegedly stole a car with a baby boy inside could have some charges dropped if deemed he was mentally impaired at the time.

Dean Robertson, 46, is accused of jumping into the driver’s seat of the Toyota RAV4 and accelerating away while the boy’s mother was nearby looking at hard rubbish on Putt Grove in Keysborough about 2.10pm on March 1.

CCTV captured the distraught woman screaming and attempting to run after the car to stop him.

Her 11-month-old boy was found safe and well in the car, 18km away in Cranbourne, some three and a half hours later.

Police at the scene in Keysborough where the car was stolen. Picture: Jason Edwards

Mr Robertson, from Frankston, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court via videolink from Ravenhall prison on Thursday charged with kidnapping, car theft, committing an indictable offence on bail and unlicensed driving.

The court heard he would undergo a psychiatric assessment next month.

His lawyer Hannah Fiddelaers said they were looking at the mental impairment defence.

But the court heard she had also put an offer to the prosecution to plead guilty to some charges in mid-May.

The details of the offer were not revealed.

Prosecutor Emma Maguire said the prosecution had asked defence for a psych assessment to be completed before they will determine if they will accept the offer.

Depending on what the report says, Ms Maguire said it “may result in withdrawal” of charges.

The case will return to court on September 20.