‘Car theft with knife’ man on bail

A MAN accused of pulling a knife on a nurse outside the Gold Coast University Hospital and stealing her car has been released on bail.

William James Ulf Skogberg, a former security guard, disputes he had a knife or did anything to make the woman fearful during the alleged robbery, a court was told.

The 32-year-old appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday on one count of robbery, one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and two of wilful damage.

The court was told the Pacific Pines man had no recollection of the alleged incident because he had abruptly stopped taking a medication.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Saloshini Chetty said Skogberg was armed with a “small darkcoloured knife” when he approached the nurse and told her to get out of the car about 8.45pm on July 12.

The woman was taking items from the car in preparation for a night shift at the hospital when she turned around to see Skogberg outside the driver’s door, the court was told.

“(She said) please don’t steal my car,” Sgt Chetty said.

Defence lawyer Farshad Sarabi, of Hannay Lawyers, said police would not be able to prove Skogberg was armed.

He said the only thing Skogberg did to make the nurse leave her car was tell her to “get out”.

Mr Sarabi said the robbery charge could be amended to a charge of stealing as the matter progressed through the courts.

“The level of violence was minimal, if any,” Mr Sarabi said. “It was out of character for him.”

He said Skogberg previously worked as a security guard for eight years and had no criminal history.

The alleged incident was captured on CCTV, the court was told.

Skogberg will return to court on August 1.