A teen accused of robbing a taxi driver in a Shepparton street will be spending the next few months in residential drug rehabilitation.

Jarrah Weston, 19, of Shepparton, successfully applied for bail in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court.

He is charged with robbery, theft and assault.

The court was told Mr Weston allegedly robbed the taxi driver shortly before 1.40pm on September 20 after getting him to drive him and two other people around Shepparton.

Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Geordie Thomas said the taxi driver pulled over in Packham St, near Gillam St, fearing he was not going to get paid by Mr Weston and two other people in the taxi.

Det Sen Constable Thomas told the court Mr Weston grabbed the taxi driver from behind and punched the man in the back of the neck and head three times before the other male stole the taxi driver’s shoulder wallet, which contained $900 in cash.

The officer also told the court Mr Weston was supposed to be at court at the same time as the robbery on the taxi driver on separate armed robbery and aggravated burglary charges.

The bail application first came before the court on September 25, but magistrate Olivia Trumble adjourned it until the next day and then again to Wednesday, October 2, to see if a residential drug rehabilitation centre bed could be found for Mr Weston.

On October 2, defence solicitor Ian Michaelson told the court a three-month residential rehabilitation bed had been found for his client at a centre in Melbourne aimed at young people.

Ms Trumble bailed Mr Weston straight into the care of Birribi Rehabilitation Centre the next day.

“If it wasn’t for the fact you have residential rehabilitation, you wouldn’t be getting out,” Ms Trumble told Mr Weston.

“This is your opportunity to go and do some rehabilitation. That’s the only reason you are coming out of custody.”

Mr Weston’s bail conditions include that he live at the residential rehabilitation facility and abide by its rules, does not associate with his co-accused, does not contact witnesses for the prosecution and does not leave Victoria or Australia.

He will next come before the court later in October.

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Tuesday, 6th February 2024

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