Jae Anthony Heslop, 30, bleated like a sheep, swore, waved his arms and muttered to himself during a hearing at the Wodonga Magistrates Court yesterday. 

He had to be taken from the court in handcuffs by three police officers back to his cell at the end of the hearing after lying on the floor and refusing to stand, and shouted as he was removed. 

The court heard he may have been experiencing drug psychosis, but he said “I’m stable … everyone else isn’t”. 

The Churchill resident had caught a taxi from Costa Court to High Street about 12.20am yesterday. 

After withdrawing money from the Bendigo Bank ATM on High Street, the court heard he asked the driver to take him to Sunshine, Geelong or Melbourne, and the driver asked for an $800 deposit. 

A bankcard had failed to work, and the driver approached another driver for help, but they could not get the machine to work. 

The court was told Heslop left the taxi, got back in, and repeatedly asked the driver “you have family?” before he is alleged to have produced a knife, holding it near his lap and asking the driver to get out of the car. 

The court heard the driver left the vehicle with his keys before Heslop got into the driver’s seat and tried to start the car. 

When it didn’t start, he left and walked towards a park and was arrested at the Caltex service station on Thomas Mitchell Drive. 

A search of Heslop located the knife, a wallet and a mobile phone. 

Heslop had allegedly sent messages before the incident asking a person for a lift to the Rebels’ motorcycle club house.

He said he needed “a massive favour, otherwise he might have to hijack a taxi.

Another message is alleged to have said “if I can’t get your car I will rob someone for theirs”.

Police do not believe Heslop has any links to the Rebels but had done a Google search to find the location of their clubhouse.

He has been charged with armed robbery, theft of motor vehicle, assault with a weapon, possess controlled weapon and breaching bail.

Heslop raised his hands and waved during yesterday’s hearing, put his bare feet on a bench and leant back in his chair, before refusing to walk back to his police cell.

When asked by magistrate Stella Stuthridge if he wanted to respond to anything allegations made by the prosecution, he stood and imitating a sheep, said “baa baa”.

The court heard Heslop was showing signs of drug withdrawal and paranoia and had declined medical treatment.

He was remanded in custody to reappear in court on Tuesday.