Chad Holland denied bail over alleged liquor robbery, home detention report ordered for Jasmine Dalgety

A Geraldton man accused of robbing a local liquor store and assaulting a female attendant will remain behind bars after his bail application was denied, while his co-accused awaits to hear her fate.

Chad Kenneth Holland and Jasmine Lee Dalgety appeared via video link in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Monday charged with aggravated robbery over the alleged Cellarbrations Wonthella offence.

The pair have also been charged with other offences over separate incidents.

Police allege that Mr Holland and Ms Dalgety walked into Cellarbrations together on November 12 about 6pm where they allegedly put bottles in a shopping basket before trying to leave the store.

Two staff members tried to stop them with one grabbing Mr Holland’s basket, before she was punched in the face. Ms Dalgety fled to a waiting car driven by Mercedes Lee Abbott, while Mr Holland soon followed.

Abbott, Mr Holland’s niece, pleaded guilty to reckless driving and driving without a licence in Geraldton court last month and was fined $1300.

In making an application for bail, Mr Holland’s lawyer Ian Hope said his client could abide by strict conditions including monitoring and reporting and could reside with his mother.

Police prosecutor Sgt Ross Gray opposed bail, citing Mr Holland’s third-strike position, history of failing to appear in court and previous breaches of bail.

Sgt Gray said Mr Holland had actively been avoiding police and that was why he had come to Geraldton before the alleged robbery.

Mr Holland was previously convicted to four years and eight months jail in February 2017 and released in May 2022.

Sgt Gray outlined Mr Holland’s extensive criminal history, many of a violent nature, and concerns he would intimidate or threaten his co-accused.

Magistrate Angus Hockton denied bail, stating there was a “real risk” Mr Holland would not attend court and would commit further offences. He also noted that if Mr Holland was convicted, he would face the strong prospect of immediate imprisonment.

Mr Holland was remanded in custody and will reappear in Geraldton Magistrates Court for a committal mention on April 13.

Defence lawyer Amy Pepper also made a bail application for Ms Dalgety and had to establish exceptional circumstances due to Ms Dalgety previously being given bail on September 13.

Sgt Gray opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the offence and saying she had not complied with her previous bail reporting.

Ms Pepper stated that Ms Dalgety had been previously homeless but now had a place to live, while highlighting that she was the primary caregiver of her three children and the lengthy wait for trial.

Mr Hockton ordered a home detention report, stating that “residence is a significant change in circumstance” which would provide a degree of protection to the community.

Ms Dalgety is due to reappear in Geraldton Magistrates Court on January 23 when the bail application will be considered.