Bail for funeral

IN UNUSUAL court proceedings, an accused armed robber has been granted bail for five days before having to return to custody.

Joshua Robert McHugh appeared before Toowoomba Magistrates Court by video link from the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre to seek temporary bail.

His solicitor Chris Lumme told the court his client had hoped to attend his mother’s funeral in Charleville and so sought temporary bail.

Mr Lumme said his client’s aunt, who was in court for the bail application, would remain with him for the time the 30-year-old was away from the prison and his client would give an undertaking that he would surrender himself back to Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre by 4pm Sunday.

Police claim McHugh was armed with a knife when he entered a James St convenience store about 1.15am Sunday, April 30, and demanded money and keys to a car parked outside.

It is alleged he fled the scene with a sum of cash in the employee’s vehicle.

Police arrested the 30-year-old at a Harristown address some five hours later and he has been held in custody since.

He has not as yet been required to enter any pleas to charges of armed robbery, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and other charges.

Magistrate Catherine Pirie noted the police did not object to McHugh being granted temporary bail in the circumstances.

“The situation is an unusual one but it does occur from time to time,” she said.

Ms Pirie ordered McHugh be released forthwith on short-term bail with strict conditions including being in the company of his aunt the whole time he is away from the prison, report to Charleville police, have no contact with complainants and that he must surrender to the prison by 4pm Sunday.

McHugh’s case is yet to go up to the District Court by way of registry committal.