Bail on ‘not guilty' plea
THE MAN charged following an attempted armed hold-up at a Tweed Heads South McDonald's has pleaded not guilty.
Mathew Davis, 22, appeared in Tweed Heads Local Court on Tuesday and was granted strict conditional bail.
Police reports state a man, armed with an iron bar, walked to the drive-through serving window in the early hours of Sunday morning and demanded money from the attendant before leaving along Minjungbal Dr when staff refused his demands.
Passing highway patrol officers arrested Davis after staff called police.
They found a socket spanner and knife on him when he was searched.
Davis' defence solicitor said Davis denied the allegations and said that he had been fishing across the road.
He said Davis was in possession of the knife and spanner for fishing only and that he had gone across the road to get a burger before being arrested.
The court heard he was heavily intoxicated at the time and had left the remainder of his fishing gear on the bank.
Magistrate Michael Dakin granted bail provided Davis reports daily to police, does not go to the McDonald's store and surrenders $1000 in surety.
An acceptable person must also post $1000 in surety.
Davis's defence lawyer said it was unlikely he would be able to find an acceptable person to post surety as his sister was his only relative in the country and they had recently had a falling out.
The matter was adjourned until July 23.
