Blake Adam Carter denied bail in Maroochydore Magistrates Court

A Sunshine Coast delivery driver has fronted court on allegations he took advantage of a homeless person’s generosity on Christmas Day. But he says police have the wrong man.

Blake Adam Carter faces allegations he violently robbed a homeless person on Christmas Day, but he claims the police have the wrong man. Photo: Facebook

A Sunshine Coast delivery driver has told a court he has been caught up in a case of mistaken identity, after he was arrested and charged over a violent robbery on Christmas Day.

Blake Adam Carter fronted Maroochydore Magistrates Court via videolink from the Maroochydore Watch House on December 26, where he made an application for bail.

Mr Carter was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, robbery, wilful damage and possessing dangerous drugs. He has entered a plea.

Police prosecutor Mick Ruddiman told the court police alleged Mr Carter had taken advantage of a homeless person, who was “trying to help (Mr Carter) out”.

Police prosecutor Mick Ruddiman said Mr Carter then used personal violence in robbing the victim and fled the scene in the victim’s car, which the victim had been living in at the time.

The car was later found in another location “severely damaged”, Sergeant Ruddiman said.

Defence lawyer Jason Todman told the court his client said he was not involved in the incident and the police had the wrong man.

“He denies he has done this, he says it is a case of mistaken identity,” he said.

The court was told Mr Carter was identified through photographs, which he claimed are of a different man and not him.

Maroochydore Courthouse. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“When I read the (allegations) out to him he appeared surprised and didn’t know anything about these … whatsoever,” Mr Todman said.

“His desire is to now prove his innocence and he can’t wait for his day in court to do that.”

Mr Todman said police had also wrongly identified a bag, containing items belonging to the homeless person, as Mr Carter’s.

But Sergeant Ruddiman disagreed and said property found in Mr Carter’s possession during his arrest was seized by police at the Maroochydore police station.

These included a key to the stolen car, two bags with an unknown amount of drugs, the victim’s driver’s licence and other personal items belonging to the victim.

Mr Todman said his client denied these were his property.

He said Mr Carter would live with his mother in Maroochy River upon his release, and had stable work as a delivery driver.

He also has an eight-year-old child.

Magistrate Raelene Ellis denied Mr Carter bail and he was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on February 17, 2023.

Originally published as Blake Adam Carter denied bail in Maroochydore Magistrates Court