Ethan Jones, 27, of Katandra, has been charged with committing armed robbery in Benalla on January 28.
He successfully applied for bail at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Monday with Magistrate Anne Goldsbrough accepting there were compelling reasons.
Detective Constable Luke Baker told the court Mr Jones had driven to Benalla to provide a potential client with a quote, as a sole trader in roof and gutter maintenance.
He said when the car’s fuel light came on, Mr Jones became distressed as he had been left financially worse off by the pandemic.
After parking near the council chambers, Mr Jones walked to the Good Vibes Wholefoods store on Bridge St with CCTV showing he was inside for a few minutes.
The store was empty except for one staff member, who approached Mr Jones before he allegedly presented a knife and demanded she give him cash.
The court heard he explained to the staff member that COVID-19 had been hard on him and that he would pay the money back when he could.
Det Constable Baker said the staff member initially refused until Mr Jones told her words to the effect, “I don’t want to hurt you, just give me the cash” — and when she handed over the cash he left the store and returned to his car.
The court heard Mr Jones had “a moment of clarity” when he got back to his car, and drove back to his mother’s home in Katandra, stopping on Midland Hwy to buy fuel, food and cigarettes, before turning himself in Shepparton Police Station.
Det Constable Baker told the court it was believed the offending was a “lapse in judgement”.
Mr Jones’ lawyer said he found Mr Jones to be the “most remorseful man” he’d ever dealt with.
He told the court Mr Jones had been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and experienced depression.
Magistrate Anne Goldsbrough said she considered there to be no risk of reoffending and took into account Mr Jones’ age, family support, lack of relevant criminal history in Victoria and his remorse.
She released him on bail and the matter will be back before the court in the coming months.
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