The man accused of stealing a car with a baby inside and driving the infant through Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs has again refused to take part in a court hearing, amid concerns over his mental health.
Dean Robertson, 46, allegedly stole a white Toyota RAV4 from Putt Grove, Keysborough about 2.10pm on Tuesday, while an 11-month-old boy was inside.
The baby boy and his mother are reunited at Cranbourne police station on Tuesday.Credit:Nine News
The boy’s mother had pulled over near a pile of hard rubbish and got out of the car leaving the engine running. Police allege Mr Robertson got in the car and drove away with the baby.
The baby was found safe in Cranbourne at 5.40pm, about 3½ hours after he went missing, and was reunited with his family.
Mr Robertson, of Frankston, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon and later charged with theft, kidnapping, offending while on bail and driving without a licence.
He failed to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday and refused to take part in a hearing on Thursday, despite a custody officer at Dandenong police station urging him to listen to the proceedings on a mobile phone.
“You need to come and listen in, please … because of the COVID situation we can’t take you out of the cell,” the custody officer told Mr Robertson.
“It’s not about getting a test, this is your court hearing. We’re not trying to set you up, we’re just trying to give you an opportunity to talk to the [magistrate].”
The officer then told magistrate Rosemary Falla that Mr Robertson had refused to engage and had laid down and pulled a blanket over himself.
Mr Robertson’s lawyer, Iresha Siriwardana, said she had been unable to speak to the accused man, which prompted a shocked response from the magistrate. “What?” Ms Falla said.
Ms Siriwardana said Mr Robertson was “quite unwell” and that when he was handed a phone on Wednesday, he hung up and called triple zero. Custody officers wouldn’t give him a phone on Thursday, but he had undergone a PCR test and was waiting on the result.
The defence lawyer said there were concerns Mr Robertson was a suicide risk and that he needed to be assessed by a psychiatric nurse. She said it would be best for him to be bailed to a mental health treatment facility, but she was unable to lodge an application until she had spoken with him.
The magistrate remanded Mr Robertson in custody until May 24 but said he could apply for bail before then.
His case could return to court next week if prosecutors apply for him to undergo a compulsory procedure, where investigating police can take a mouth swab to assist in gathering forensic evidence.
If you or anyone you know needs support call Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
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