‘Gun pressed against temple’ in alleged Shepparton armed robbery

He’s been charged with armed robbery, assault and firearms charges after an alleged armed robbery at a Shepparton property on Williams Rd on January 31.

Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit’s Detective Senior Constable Andrew Costello told the court the primary victim had a “gun pressed against his temple”.

He also told the court the gun allegedly involved was still missing, which was an “extreme concern”.

Mr Weston was on bail for other matters at the time of the alleged armed robbery, and an arrest warrant was issued for his arrest on February 5 for the theft of a vehicle on January 7.

Police arrested Mr Weston in a Shepparton courtroom earlier in the day on Thursday, February 13 for the alleged armed robbery, while he was waiting for other unrelated matters to be called.

He was brought back before the court that afternoon for the bail application.

Det Sen Constable Costello said it was “extremely unlikely” Mr Weston wasn’t aware police were looking for him, and they had searched for him at about “six or seven” addresses he was known to frequent.

He said Mr Weston tended to “spiral into heavy drug use” and become “very transient and hard to locate” in his previous dealings with him.

Det Sen Constable Costello said there wasn’t a bail condition that would satisfy him Mr Weston wouldn’t be an unacceptable risk of endangering the public.

Speaking of the courtroom arrest, prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Anna Hanlon said the officers had requested to speak with Mr Weston outside, but he hadn’t moved and that’s why they arrested him in the courtroom.

Mr Weston’s defence solicitor Ian Michaelson said his client was a vulnerable, Aboriginal young man, with an intellectual disability and strong family ties.

Mr Michaelson questioned Det Sen Constable Costello about the witness’s descriptions of the alleged offender, implying Mr Weston didn’t entirely match them.

In denying Mr Weston bail, magistrate Olivia Trumble acknowledged the “really serious allegation”, but said it was “not appropriate” for police to arrest him in the courtroom.

“For police to arrest him in the courtroom is really unfortunate,” she said.

Ms Trumble said Mr Weston had “unfortunately spiralled” and needed to go back into drug residential rehabilitation.

“He’s proven to me he can do residential rehabilitation,” she said.

“He’s not a risk if he’s in rehabilitation. He is a risk when he’s not there.

“If you have a bed, I’ll bail you there.”

Mr Weston will next face court on April 16 over the alleged armed robbery.