A man robbed a woman at knifepoint in broad daylight while passers-by threw a brick and a radio to stop him escaping, a court has heard.
Michael Bradley Peacock, 42, chased the victim down a street in Braddon with a knife, causing her to fall and drop her bag while she screamed for help.
On Tuesday in the ACT Supreme Court, Justice Louise Taylor said it was a very complex case that had significant effects on the victim.
Peacock had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted aggravated robbery.
According to agreed facts, in March 2024 the woman was walking down Lowanna Street in Braddon when Peacock crossed the road and brandished a knife at her.
She yelled for help and began to run away from Peacock, who chased her down the street. The woman fell over, dropping her bag, before getting up and continuing to run away. Peacock then stopped chasing her and went through her bag.
Three men working nearby heard the victim's screams and found Peacock walking away from the bag with its contents strewn on the ground.
One of the men asked Peacock if he had tried to rob the woman, to which he replied "mind your own business". The man grabbed Peacock by the arm and told him not to leave, and one of the other men threw a radio at him.
As Peacock turned to walk away, another man threw a brick in his direction.
Prosecutor Katie McCann condemned the brazenness of the offence given the time that it occurred.
She said the victim has been significantly affected psychologically and physically by the attack, and that protection of community "would favour a term of imprisonment".
The court heard Peacock had already spent seven months and 11 days in custody for the crime.
Legal Aid lawyer Georgia Le Couteur argued Peacock's schizophrenia and religious delusions motivated his crimes, and he didn't break the law when appropriately medicated.
She also pointed to the criminal's history of childhood abuse and neglect.
"The knife wasn't actually used, [it was] brandished towards the victim and interveners," she said.
Peacock had only recently gained stable accommodation through ACT Housing, she added.
He is set to be sentenced at a later date.
