Man charged with armed robbery with tree branch for Skittles
Man denied bail after allegedly robbing store with tree branch due to mental health.
A Bendigo man has been denied bail after allegedly robbing a convenience store on Bull Street with a tree branch. He stole a single packet of Skittles.
Geordy Alderton, 44, of no fixed address, allegedly entered the store on July 20. He struck the counter with the branch and demanded money.
The shopkeeper reached for the till, but put up his hand to protect himself when Alderton approached. Alderton grabbed confectionery, put it in his pants, and left.
Alderton was arrested 20 days later and told police he could not recall the incident. Magistrate Megan Aumair denied bail.
Alderton did not meet the threshold. Mental illness, lack of suitable housing, and previous unwillingness to engage with supports worked against him.
He was on a community treatment order and would have been taken to hospital for mental health assessment if released. He will return to court on November 11.
- 44
- Defendant age
- packet of Skittles
- Item stolen
- Bull Street, Bendigo
- Location
- 20
- Days before arrest
Why it mattersThe case highlights the gap between the criminal justice system and mental health support for homeless people cycling through courts repeatedly.
AustraliaHomelessness and mental illness remain pressing issues across Australian cities, with courts often unable to break the cycle because housing and treatment support fall short of demand.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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