Man not coming clean on car wash

A HIGHTON man who refused to tell police who was driving his car during an attempted armed robbery at the Newcomb car wash will have to undergo community service, a court has heard.

Kane Hider, 23, pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday to three charges, including failing to give information and criminal damage.

The court heard that early in the afternoon on September 9 last year an unknown person attended the Newcomb car wash, where three males where present.

Sergeant Peter Beard said the offender “made demands for their money, threatening to shoot them” and he “presented what they thought to be a firearm”.

“The three males managed to get in their vehicle and drive away,” he said.

The court heard the unknown male drove off in his car and later escaped on foot.

“Police searched the vehicle and located a metal pole that could be mistaken as a firearm,” Sgt Beard said.

He said police found the vehicle was registered to Mr Hider, but when they attended his home he refused to say who had been driving the vehicle.

Magistrate Ann McGarvie said it was a huge concern Mr Hider would not tell police who had committed the crime.

“Mr Hider had information about who that was, whether it was himself or someone else, but by that stage it was too late,” she said.

Ms McGarvie ordered he do 100 hours of community service, but deferred sentencing for him to seek intensive drug rehabilitation and time to comply with his current community corrections order.

“I am deferring sentence and if you go well I will consider a further CCO, but if not, you’re looking at a term of imprisonment,” she said.