Homeless man stole driver's wallet, phone after taxi stopped in North Albury

Matthew Douglas was committed for sentence in the District Court, after facing Albury Local Court on Tuesday via a video link to Sydney's Long Bay jail.

"I'm robbing you," Douglas told the driver, as he pushed the screwdriver against the left side of his neck, under his chin.

"Give me your money."

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At one point, Douglas lunged towards the driver, making a stab motion, but failed to make contact.

Magistrate Richard Funston heard on Tuesday that Douglas, now 21, of Coolibah Court, fled with the driver's wallet, along with his mobile phone and EFTPOS machine.

The driver went home and called police, while Douglas jumped the back fence of a nearby house occupied by a woman and her three children - Douglas knew the daughter - and hid inside.

About 7am the woman was woken by police at her door with the news that a neighbour had seen Douglas leaping over her fence.

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She let them search the house, then moments later all those in the house heard a loud noise and a man call out: "Come get me."

Douglas, who wasn't wearing a shirt, was found hiding in a linen cupboard.

On Tuesday he pleaded guilty to and was committed for sentence on charges of robbery while armed with an offensive weapon and entering prescribed premises without a lawful excuse.

Director of Public Prosecutions representative Mary-Beth McFarlane withdrew a charge of use an offensive weapon with the intention of committing an indictable offence.

The court was told that Douglas, who was unemployed and homeless, was staying at a house in Boomerang Drive, Lavington.

He used "ice" the day before the robbery, which later prevented him from falling asleep.

This was when he concocted his robbery plan.

Douglas's case will be mentioned before the District Court in Albury on February 4.

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