by Emily Woods, AAP
A kidnapper who stole a car with a baby inside will be released from prison to stay at a hotel before he is sentenced, despite concerns that he is a risk to the community.
Dean Robertson, 48, has admitted stealing a car from Melbourne’s southeast with an 11-month-old child in the back.
He did not know the child was in a baby capsule behind the passenger seat when he when stole the Toyota RAV4 in March 2022 after the child’s mother got out to look at some hard rubbish in Keysborough.
He drove off as the mother screamed and chased after the car, and eventually handed the baby to a group of strangers at a hall in Cranbourne more than three hours later.
Robertson, who pleaded guilty to theft and child stealing, faced the County Court for a pre-sentence hearing by video link from prison on Tuesday.
Judge Duncan Allen flagged he was considering handing Robertson a deferred sentence.
Defence lawyer Amber Hurst asked for Robertson to be released on bail so he can receive better mental health and drug and alcohol treatment before he is sentenced.
“This is a man whose prior history is mainly driving offences, who essentially stole a motor vehicle and found a child in the back,” she told the court.
“He has no history of violent offending but he’s had a substantial time in custody.”
Prosecutor Deanna Caruso was concerned Robertson may reoffend if released from jail.
“There’s high concerns by the prosecutors of risk of reoffending and risk to the community,” she said.
Robertson was assessed as “stable” by a court services program, which found he required drug, alcohol and mental health treatment if released, the court was told.
Judge Allen agreed to release Robertson on bail to live at a hotel in East Melbourne while other accommodation is found, because he was homeless when he was arrested.
He must abide by several conditions, including attending a GP for a mental health care plan and participating in court-supervised drug and alcohol treatment.
Robertson will be sentenced in December.
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