Michael Robinson pleads guilty to aggravated carjacking
A rideshare driver was robbed at knifepoint by a drug-addled father with an extensive criminal record, a court has heard.
A rideshare driver was robbed of his car at knifepoint by a Geelong dad with a “concerning” criminal record, a court has heard.
Michael Robinson, 28, fronted the County Court at Geelong on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to aggravated carjacking and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
Crown prosecutor Peter Triandos told the court Robinson booked a ride on Didi from the Princes Hwy in Norlane to Barrabool Rd at 2.15am on January 16 last year.
He was picked up by a driver in a rented white Toyota Corolla hatch at 2.27am.
During the ride Robinson, who sat in the back seat, asked if the driver could play some music.
It was the only conversation they exchanged before arriving at the drop-off point at the corner of Barrabool and Scenic roads in Highton.
As the victim said “Thanks for riding with me and have a good night”, Robinson produced a “large knife” and held it at the complaint.
The victim “saw and felt the knife blade” on his shoulder, Mr Triandos said.
Robinson told the complainant: “If you want to save your life, get out of the car”.
The victim complied, taking his seatbelt off and slowly trying to get out.
Robinson began to climb into the front seat.
“If you come closer, I’m gonna stab you,” he told the victim, pointing the knife and ordering the man leave his wallet, keys and phone in the car.
The victim handed over his car keys and his black leather phone case, which contained his phone, credit cards and driver’s licence.
When the driver was out of the car, Robinson sped off down Barrabool Rd, tossing the victim’s phone and case out the window and into a gutter.
The complainant was able to flag down another motorist and went home, before contacting police.
Robinson meanwhile drove to Whittington, parking the car about 180m from his mother’s house.
The car was tracked down via the rental company and processed, and Robinson was arrested on January 27, 2024 at a Ryrie St bus stop.
He told police he couldn’t remember the “last few weeks” because he’d been abusing drugs.
Robinson’s lawyer, Jonathon Miller, told the court his client was becoming institutionalised having spent more time behind bars in the last five years than in the community.
Mr Miller said Robinson had told him he never wants to come back into custody, displaying “shame” and that what he did was “selfish” and he wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of his victim.
Mr Miller argued Robinson’s difficult upbringing affected his moral culpability, and that far from having no prospects, Robinson had the ability to work.
Robinson would benefit from a long-parole period, Mr Miller said, noting in “most of the sentences he’s had, he hasn’t had that sort of structured release”.
This offending was an “escalation” Mr Miller said, “definitely the most serious” crime Robinson had committed.
Robinson will be sentenced on October 31.
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Originally published as Michael Robinson pleads guilty to aggravated carjacking
